Phytosterols as anticancer compounds

Abstract

Phytochemicals have been proposed to offer protection against a variety of chronic ailments including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. As for cancer protection, it has been estimated that diets rich in phytochemicals can significantly reduce cancer risk by as much as 20%. Phytosterols are specific phytochemicals that resemble cholesterol in structure but are found exclusively in plants. Phytosterols are absorbed from the diet in small but significant amounts. Epidemiological data suggest that the phytosterol content of the diet is associated with a reduction in common cancers including cancers of the colon, breast, and prostate. The means by which dietary phytosterols may be achieving these effects is becoming clearer from molecular studies with tumorigenic research models. Phytosterols affect host systems potentially enabling more robust antitumor responses, including the boosting of immune recognition of cancer, influencing hormonal dependent growth of endocrine tumors, and altering sterol biosynthesis. In addition, phytosterols have effects that directly inhibit tumor growth, including the slowing of cell cycle progression, the induction of apoptosis, and the inhibition of tumor metastasis. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the anticancer effects of phytosterols.

Co-administration of berberine and plant stanols synergistically reduces plasma cholesterol in rats

“…The reduction of liver lipids is beneficial to liver function by restoring hepatocyte morphology and reduction of liver steatosis [26]. Published data indicated that BBR and PS, when administered alone, have beneficial effects on the immune function [62][63][64][65][66]. As it was not measured in the current study, it is not clear whether reduced spleen weight by the combined treatment of BBRPS influences the immune function.…”

Comparative inhibitory potential of selected dietary bioactive polyphenols, phytosterols on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 with fluorometric high-throughput screening

“…Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural dietary polyphenol whose benefits in a variety of diseases shown in epidemiological and experimental studies involve anti-inflammation, antiproliferation, anti-angiogenesis, anti-carcinogenesis and antioxidation properties (Kim et al 2013). β-sitosterol (BS) and stigmasterol (SS), phytosterols found in plant foods especially plant oils, seeds and nuts, cereals and legumes (Muti et al 2003) that resemble cholesterol both in structure and biological function (Bradford and Awad 2007). Phytosterols have been added to food matrices other than fat spread including low-fat milk, bakery products, orange juices, cereal bars, low fat beverages and chocolate bars (Jones and AbuMweis 2009).…”

Phytochemicals in Soy and Their Health Effects

“…In addition to their cholesterol-lowering actions, mounting evidence suggests that phytosterols possess anti-cancer effects against a number of different types of cancers (126)(127)(128)(129)(130)(131)(132). Phytosterols seem to act through multiple mechanisms of action, including inhibition of carcinogen production, cancer-cell growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, and through the promotion of apoptosis of cancerous cells.…”