Sitosterol

A widespread phytosterol which, as a plant steroid, is very closely related to cholesterol. Together with campesterol and stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol is one of the most common phytosterols in plants (see sterols below).

This phytosterol can be found in cereal sprouts, soybeans, Urtica species (stinging nettle), Cucurbita species(pumpkin plants) and others

Reduces the absorption of cholesterol from the gastrointestinal tract (previously used as a lipid reducer). Sitosterol also reduces the effect of dihydrotestosterone and interacts with the sex hormone binding globulin (SHGB). In this respect, sitosterol was previously used as a remedy for benign prostate adenoma (see also Urticae radix).

1. Miras-Moreno B et al. (2016) Bioactivity of phytosterols and their production in plant in vitro cultures. J Agric Food Chem 64:7049-7058.
2. Valitova JN et al.(2016) Plant Sterols: Diversity, Biosynthesis, and Physiological Functions. Biochemistry (Mosc) 81:819-834.