Author(s):
Paras Pradeep Chavan, Lalita Shashikant Nemade
Email(s):
Paraschavan3105@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2231-3915.2025.00007 
Address:
Paras Pradeep Chavan1*, Lalita Shashikant Nemade2
1Post Graduate Research Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutics, Govindrao Nikam College of Pharmacy, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India.
2Professor, HOD, Department of Pharmaceutics, Govindrao Nikam College of Pharmacy, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 15,
Issue - 1,
Year - 2025
ABSTRACT:
Beta-sitosterol, a plant-derived compound, exhibits multifaceted properties, including potent anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, chemoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, and antipyretic effects. In rodent models, beta-sitosterol significantly reduces inflammation in both specific and non-specific acute inflammatory conditions by modulating the production of inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting enzymes involved in inflammation, and affecting calcium uptake in activated neutrophils. Beta-sitosterol induces apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells through the activation of caspases, triggering the apoptotic cascade and leading to cell death. As a chemoprotective agent, beta-sitosterol inhibits cancer cell growth, induces apoptosis, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and modulates cholesterol levels. In young male rats, beta-sitosterol demonstrates hypocholesterolemic activity, lowering cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the liver. Human studies have shown that dietary supplements containing beta-sitosterol reduce plasma and HDL cholesterol levels, as well as the apolipoprotein B concentration in LDL, indicating potential benefits for patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia. Beta-sitosterol also exhibits anticancer properties by preventing the growth and spread of tumors, triggering apoptosis, reducing the number of cancer cells in the body, and modifying the signaling pathways that lead to the spread of cancer while having the least negative effect on healthy cells. Additionally, beta-sitosterol demonstrates an antipyretic effect comparable to that of aspirin. These findings highlight the potential of beta-sitosterol as a naturally occurring compound with diverse therapeutic applications in managing inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular health.
Cite this article:
Paras Pradeep Chavan, Lalita Shashikant Nemade. Beta-Sitosterol: A Multifaceted Compound with Potent Anti-Inflammatory, Apoptotic, and Chemoprotective Properties. International Journal of Technology. 2025; 15(1):37-2. doi: 10.52711/2231-3915.2025.00007
Cite(Electronic):
Paras Pradeep Chavan, Lalita Shashikant Nemade. Beta-Sitosterol: A Multifaceted Compound with Potent Anti-Inflammatory, Apoptotic, and Chemoprotective Properties. International Journal of Technology. 2025; 15(1):37-2. doi: 10.52711/2231-3915.2025.00007 Available on: https://ijtonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2025-15-1-7
REFERENCE:
1. Bouic PJD, Etsebeth S, Liebenberg RW, Albrecht ~ C F, Pegel K, Van Jaarsveld~ PP. Beta-sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glycoside stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation: implications for their use as an immunomodulatory vitamin combination. Vol 18.; 1996.
2. Bin Sayeed MS, Ameen SS. Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against Cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2015;67(8):1216-1222. doi:10.1080/01635581.2015.1087042
3. Paniagua-Pérez R, Flores-Mondragón G, Reyes-Legorreta C, et al. Evalution of the anti-inflammatory capacity of beta-sitosterol in rodent assays. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2017;14(1):123-130. doi:10.21010/ajtcam.v14i1.13
4. Chen C, Shen JL, Liang CS, Sun ZC, Jiang HF. First Discovery of Beta-Sitosterol as a Novel Antiviral Agent against White Spot Syndrome Virus. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(18). doi:10.3390/ijms231810448
5. Jw C, Ur K, Ms K. Beta-Sitosterol Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells. Vol 16.; 2008.
6. Maurya P, Abdul APJ, Kumar Maurya N, Yadav L. Role & Effects of Nutraceutical agent Beta-Sitosterol. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.19715.43042
7. Saeidnia S. The Story of Beta-sitosterol- A Review. European J Med Plants. 2014;4(5):590-609. doi:10.9734/ejmp/2014/7764
8. Durrani AK, Khalid M, Raza A, et al. Clinical improvement, toxicity and future prospects of β-sitosterol: a review. CYTA - Journal of Food. 2024;22(1). doi:10.1080/19476337.2024.2337886
9. Rashed K. Beta-Sitosterol Medicinal Properties: A Review Article. Vol 9.; 2020. www.ijsit.com
10. Arivarasu L, Gunam V. Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Beta-Sitosterol. Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences. 2022;9(2):26-28. doi:10.21276/apjhs.2022.9.2.06
11. Mishra A, Das S, Kumari S. Potential role of herbal plants and β sitosterol as a bioactive constituent in circumventing Alzheimer’s Disease. Plant Science Today. 2024;11(1):454-465. doi:10.14719/pst.2420
12. Xie T, Liu W, Chen Y, Zhou Y. An evaluation of graded levels of beta-sitosterol supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal permeability-related parameters and morphology in broiler chickens at an early age. Poult Sci. 2022;101(11). doi:10.1016/j.psj.2022.102108
13. Luxy C, Sumathi R. Unlocking potential: Beta-sitosterol from Cyperus rotundus as a promising antimalarial agent revealed through molecular docking analysis. Int J Mosq Res. 2023;10(6):58-62. doi:10.22271/23487941.2023.v10.i6a.718
14. Abbas MM, Al-Rawi N, Abbas MA, Al-Khateeb I. Naringenin Potentiated β-Sitosterol Healing Effect on the Scratch Wound Assay. Vol 14.; 2019. http://journals.lww.com/rips
15. Beesoo R, Bhagooli R, Neergheen-Bhujun VS, Li WW, Kagansky A, Bahorun T. Antibacterial and antibiotic potentiating activities of tropical marine sponge extracts. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part - C: Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2017;196:81-90. doi:10.1016/j.cbpc.2017.04.001