Catalyzes the conversion of the 17-keto group of estrone, 4- and 5-androstenes and 5-alpha-androstanes into their 17-beta-hydroxyl metabolites and the conversion of the 3-keto group of 3-, 3,17- and 3,20- diketosteroids into their 3-hydroxyl metabolites. Exhibits reductive 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity toward 5-beta-androstanes, 5-beta-pregnanes, 4-pregnenes and bile acids. May also reduce endogenous and exogenous alpha-dicarbonyl compounds and xenobiotic alicyclic ketones. a 3beta-hydroxysteroid + NADP(+) = a 3-oxosteroid + H(+) + NADPH 17beta-estradiol + NAD(+) = estrone + H(+) + NADH 17beta-estradiol + NADP(+) = estrone + H(+) + NADPH Inhibited by flavonoids including apigenin, luteolin, genistein, kaempferol and quercetin and also by carbenoxolone, zearalenone, glycyrrhetinic, curcumin and flufenamic acid. Steroid biosynthesis; estrogen biosynthesis. Belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family.