Lowering of Serum Cholesterol by the Administration of a Plant Sterol

Abstract

The plant sterol, beta-sitosterol, has been administered to nine subjects on

Rice bran oil and oryzanol reduce plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and aortic cholesterol ester accumulation to a greater extent than ferulic acid in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

“…However, a review of several studies also indicated a hypocholesterolemic effect of some unsaponifiables, in particular, plant sterol components [10]. Several investigators reported that not only can plant sterols significantly lower LDL-C levels even at relatively low intakes [11][12][13][14][15][16], but also some plant sterols are more active than others [14][15][16]. In addition, cholesterol-lowering effects of other unsaponifiables such as tocotrienols [17][18][19][20][21], analogs of tocopherol and oryzanol, a ferulate ester of phytosterols and triterpene alcohols, also have been reported [22][23][24][25][26].…”

Dietary Saponin, a Factor Which May Reduce Liver and Serum Cholesterol Levels

“…Some investigators have noted a slight to moderate decrease (Barber et al, 1955;Best et al, 1954;Joyner et al, 1954) and others have found no effect (Friedman et al, 1955;Wilkinson et al, 1955) in the plasma cholesterol after ingestion of sitosterols. It has been suggested (Friedman et al, 1956) that the latter may even initiate atherosclerosis.…”

The Use of Functional Plant Ingredients for the Development of Efficacious Functional Foods

“…PSs have been shown to be efficacious in reducing circulating cholesterol levels in humans since 1954 (Best et al 1954). Since then, an increasing number of studies and reviews have been published highlighting PS efficacy in producing in vivo reductions in circulating TC and LDL-C levels of up to 9 and 10%, respectively, in humans (Lees et al 1977;Begemann et al 1978;Mattson et al 1982;Nguyen 1999;Hallikainen et al 2000a;Nestel et al 2001;Moreau et al 2002;Berger et al 2004;Noakes et al 2005;Tikkanen 2005;Saito et al 2006a;Ellegard et al 2007;Ostlund 2007;Rudkowska & Jones 2007).…”