Health Benefits and Pharmacological Properties of Stigmasterol

Abstract

Stigmasterol is an unsaturated phytosterol belonging to the class of tetracyclic triterpenes. It is one of the most common plant sterols, found in a variety of natural sources, including vegetable fats or oils from many plants. Currently, stigmasterol has been examined via in vitro and in vivo assays and molecular docking for its various biological activities on different metabolic disorders. The findings indicate potent pharmacological effects such as anticancer, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Indeed, stigmasterol from plants and algae is a promising molecule in the development of drugs for cancer therapy by triggering intracellular signaling pathways in numerous cancers. It acts on the Akt/mTOR and JAK/STAT pathways in ovarian and gastric cancers. In addition, stigmasterol markedly disrupted angiogenesis in human cholangiocarcinoma by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) signaling down-regulation. The association of stigmasterol and sorafenib promoted caspase-3 activity and down-regulated levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in breast cancer. Antioxidant activities ensuring lipid peroxidation and DNA damage lowering conferred to stigmasterol chemoprotective activities in skin cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation also contributes to the neuroprotective effects of stigmasterol, as well as dopamine depletion and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The anti-inflammatory properties of phytosterols involve the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, the decrease in inflammatory mediator release, and the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Stigmasterol exerts anti-diabetic effects by reducing fasting glucose, serum insulin levels, and oral glucose tolerance. Other findings showed the antiparasitic activities of this molecule against certain strains of parasites such as Trypanosoma congolense (in vivo) and on promastigotes and amastigotes of the Leishmania major (in vitro). Some stigmasterol-rich plants were able to inhibit Candida albicans, virusei, and tropicalis at low doses. Accordingly, this review outlines key insights into the pharmacological abilities of stigmasterol and the specific mechanisms of action underlying some of these effects. Additionally, further investigation regarding pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology is recommended.

Production of Boeravinone-B, total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity from callus cultures of Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa L.)

“…Hexadecanoic acid, which was detected in the chromatogram, is important in cell proliferation and has a variety of pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties (27). The chromatogram revealed phytochemicals such as sitosterol (28) and stigmasterol (29) that are responsible for a wide range of pharmacological actions. Squalene, a notable triterpene compound with anti-oxidant and anti-tumor properties, was also identified in the GC-MS profile (30).…”

Soy Consumption and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Studies have reported that stigmasterol can improve blood pressure and reduce the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women [ 70 ]. It can also improve blood glucose and induce β-cell regeneration by improving GLUT4 translocation and insulin resistance [ 10 ]. Furthermore, soy proteins and isoflavones also reduced blood cholesterol and triglyceride [ 71 , 72 ], which might be beneficial to cardiovascular health and systemic metabolism.…”

“…Polyunsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, and stigmasterol are also the main components of soy. Studies have reported that these ingredients can reduce the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, improve diabetes and protect cardiovascular health [ 9 , 10 ]. Soy foods are classified into fermented and non-fermented soy foods.…”

Mechanism of Tao Hong Decoction in the treatment of atherosclerosis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

“…The phytosterol stigmasterol is classified as a tetracyclic triterpene. Its inflammation was reduced by releasing anti-inflammatory cytokines, reducing inflammatory mediator release, and inhibiting iNOS and COX2 ( 42 ). It has been demonstrated by several in vitro studies that beta-sitosterol possesses anti-inflammatory properties.…”