Stigmastanol (sitostanol) is a
phytosterol
Phytosterols are phytosteroids, similar to cholesterol, that serve as structural components of biological membranes of plants. They encompass plant sterols and stanol ester, stanols. More than 250 sterols and related compounds have been identified ...
found in a variety of plant sources. Similar to
sterol esters and
stanol esters, stigmastanol inhibits the absorption of
cholesterol
Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body Tissue (biology), tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in Animal fat, animal fats and oils.
Cholesterol is biosynthesis, biosynthesized by all anima ...
from the diet.
Animal studies suggest that it also inhibits biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver.
Stigmastanol is the product of the
reduction of
β-sitosterol and the
hydrogenation
Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as nickel, palladium or platinum. The process is commonly employed to redox, reduce or Saturated ...
of
stigmasterol.
See also
*
Stigmasterol, a closely related sterol
References
Phytosterols
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