Biotransformation of 21-O-acetyl-deoxycorticosterone by cell suspension cultures of Digitalis lanata (strain W.1.4)

► Digitalis lanata cell cultures are able to hydroxylate (2β) and glycosylate (21-OH) deoxycorticosterone. ► Isolation of 5β-configured pregnane proves that a 5β reductase is active in D. lanata cell cultures. ► Two compounds with structure like ecdysteroids are reported for the first time.