Purification of sitosterol

Anticancer activity and other biomedical properties of β-sitosterol: Bridging phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence for future translational approaches

Sterols, including β-sitosterol, are essential components of cellular membranes in both plant and animal cells. Despite being a major phytosterol in various plant materials, comprehensive scientific knowledge regarding the properties of β-sitosterol and its potential applications is essential for scholarly pursuits and utilization purposes. β-sitosterol shares similar chemical characteristics with cholesterol and exhibits several pharmacological activities without major toxicity. This study aims to bridge the gap between phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence of β-sitosterol, focusing on its anticancer activity and other biomedical properties. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of β-sitosterol's potential for future translational approaches. A thorough examination of the literature was conducted to gather relevant information on the biological properties of β-sitosterol, particularly its anticancer therapeutic potential. Various databases were searched, including PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using appropriate keywords. Studies investigating the effects of β-sitosterol on different types of cancer were analyzed, focusing on mechanisms of action, pharmacological screening, and chemosensitizing properties. Modern pharmacological screening studies have revealed the potential anticancer therapeutic properties of β-sitosterol against various types of cancer, including leukemia, lung, stomach, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. β-sitosterol has demonstrated chemosensitizing effects on cancer cells, interfering with multiple cell signaling pathways involved in proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, survival, metastasis invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Structural derivatives of β-sitosterol have also shown anti-cancer effects. However, research in the field of drug delivery and the detailed mode of action of β-sitosterol-mediated anticancer activities remains limited. β-sitosterol, as a non-toxic compound with significant pharmacological potential, exhibits promising anticancer effects against various cancer types. Despite being relatively less potent than conventional cancer chemotherapeutics, β-sitosterol holds potential as a safe and effective nutraceutical against cancer. Further comprehensive studies are recommended to explore the biological properties of β-sitosterol, including its mode of action, and develop novel formulations for its potential use in cancer treatment. This review provides a foundation for future investigations and highlights the need for further research on β-sitosterol as a potent superfood in combating cancer.

Isolation of brassicasterol from steam deodorizer distillate of rapeseed oil: Some properties of its acetate tetrabromide and its reduction to 22,23-dihydrobrassicasterol

Brassicasterol (5,22-ergostadien-3β-ol) was isolated from the steam deodorizer distillate of rapeseed oil and purified by acetylation, bromination, chromatography on 20% AgNO3/SiO2 columns and hydrolysis. Brassicasteryl and stigmasteryl (5,22-stigmastadien-3β-ol) acetates were brominated, and the yields of products and solubilities of the tetrabromides from the two steryl acetates were compared. Stigmasteryl acetate tetrabromide is less soluble than the corresponding brassicasteryl derivative; yet the latter precipitates selectively during bromination of a mixture of the two steryl acetates. This is explained on the basis of the stereochemistry of the bromine atoms in the side chains of the two steryl acetate tetrabromides. Hydrogenation of brassicasteryl acetate over Raney nickel gave the 22,23-dihydro derivative in excellent yield. The latter was separated from small amounts of ergostanyl acetate on a 20% AgNO3/SiO2 column.

Rapid purification of gram quantities of β-sitosterol from a commercial phytosterol mixture

Background

β-Sitosterol, a plant sterol or phytosterol, has commercial uses in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, but is also employed frequently in biological research. Phytosterols always accumulate as mixtures, and obtaining highly pure β-sitosterol in larger quantities for biological assays has been a challenge.

Findings

An improved method for the rapid purification of β-sitosterol from a commercial phytosterol extract is presented. Fractional crystallization of soybean oil yielded a soluble and an insoluble fraction. β-Sitosterol was purified by silica gel and Na-Y zeolite chromatography.

Conclusion

The rapid and cost effective three-step purification described here afforded β-sitosterol in gram quantities with high purity (>92%) and yield (>22%).

Purification of campesterol and preparation of 7-dehydrocampesterol, 7-campestenol and campestanol

Campesterol ([24R]‐24‐methyl‐5‐cholesten‐3β‐ol) was isolated from a soybean sterol mixture and purified on a small scale by column chromatography and on a large scale by crystallization from acetone to 97% purity. From this, 7‐dehydrocampesterol ([24R]‐24‐methyl‐5,7‐cholestadien‐3β‐ol) and campestanol ([24R]‐24‐methyl‐cholestan‐3β‐ol) were prepared. The acetates and benzoates of all four compounds also were obtained and compared to the corresponding members of the ergostane series.