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Beta sitosterol

Beta-sitosterol is a compound which in the pharmaceutical industry can be used as raw material for steroid intermediates or also as such for pharmaceutical purposes. Sterols are important cyclized triterpenoids that perform many critical functions in cells. Although having no nutritional value to humans, phytosterols have received a great deal of attention due to their possible anti-cancer properties and their ability to decrease cholesterol levels when fed to a number of mammalian species, including humans. Phytosterols aid in limiting cholesterol absorption, enhance biliary cholesterol excretion, and shift cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaque. While many of the mechanisms of action remain unknown, the relationship between cholesterol and phytosterols is apparent. A high serum total cholesterol level, hypertension and smoking are the main risk factors associated with a heart disease. Phytosterols such as campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol in plants, ergosterol in fungi and cholesterol in animals are each primary components of the cellular and sub-cellular membranes in their respective cell types. The dietary source of phytosterols in humans comes from vegetables and plant oils. There are several sterols of plant origin that are distinguished from cholesterol only by side chain substituents and by the degree of saturation. Sitosterols are mixtures of beta-sitosterol and certain saturated sterols, such as beta-sitostanol. Sitosterols are broadly present in plants, such as in wheat and rye germ oils, corn oil, and commonly in seed oils. Sitosterols are antihypercholesterolemic agents that inhibit absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, and through the inner walls of blood vessels. Beta-sitosterol sources occurring in the nature comprise unsaponifiable fractions isolated from various vegetable materials, for example, the unsaponifiable substance of vegetable oils or sugar cane oil or the unsaponifiables of crude soap obtained from the sulphate cellulose process.

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