Beta-sitosterol

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Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 19044-06-5
PubChem = 86821
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Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C29H50O
MolarMass = 414.707
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β-sitosterol is one of several phytosterols with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It is white in colour and waxy in nature.

ources

It is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and found in pecans, Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), avocados, Curcurbita pepo (pumpkin seed), Pygeum africanum, cashew fruit, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, soybeans, sea-buckthorn and wolfberries.

Uses

Alone and in combination with similar phytosterols, β-sitosterol reduces blood levels of cholesterol, and is sometimes used in treating hypercholesterolemia.

One small study shows a positive effect on male hair loss in combination with Saw palmetto. [cite journal |author=Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G |title=A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia |journal=Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=143–52 |year=2002 |pmid=12006122 |doi=10.1089/107555302317371433]

In Europe iβ-sitosterol plays a major role in treatment of herbal therapy of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)Fact|date=February 2008.

It is also used in Europe for the treatment of prostatic carcinoma and breast cancerFact|date=February 2008 although the benefits are still being evaluated in the United StatesFact|date=February 2008.

References