The steroid hormones generate myriad effects through several well-known mechanisms of action. Besides the physiological function of steroid hormones, the steroid-like effects of some natural and synthetic compounds have led to the emergence of the promising field of alternative therapies, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of which needed to be elucidated. This special issue will focus on the evolution of the comprehensive genomic, nongenomic, and epigenomic effects of steroids and related compounds. New questions about the relevance of the various mechanisms of action in physiological and pathological conditions are in discussion.

This special issue seeks original contributions that depict novel insights on basic and clinical aspects of steroids and related compounds related to specific diseases with perspectives on medical application. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Biological effect and mechanism of action of hormones, natural or synthetic plant sterols in diabetes
• Biological effect and mechanism of action of hormones, natural or synthetic plant sterols in cancer
• Biological effect and mechanism of action of hormones, natural or synthetic plant sterols in infertility
• Biological effect and mechanism of action of hormones, natural or synthetic plant sterols in bone disturbance
• Biological effect and mechanism of action of hormones, natural or synthetic plant sterols in central nervous system disorders
• Biological effect and mechanism of action of hormones, natural or synthetic plant sterols in inflammation

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jbb/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: