Multifunctional roles and pharmacological potential of β-sitosterol: Emerging evidence toward clinical applications

Currently, available therapeutic medications are both costly as well as not entirely promising in terms of potency. So, new candidates from natural resources are of research interest to find new alternative therapeutics. A well-known combination is a beta-sitosterol, a plant-derived nutrient with anticancer properties against breast, prostate, colon, lung, stomach, and leukemia. Studies have shown that beta-sitosterol interferes with multiple cell signaling pathways, including cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, survival, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic effects have been discovered during pharmacological screening without significant toxicity. The pharmacokinetic profile of beta-sitosterol has also been extensively investigated. However, a comprehensive review of the pharmacology, phytochemistry and analytical methods of beta-sitosterol is desired. Because beta-sitosterol is a significant component of most plant materials, humans use it for various reasons, and numerous beta-sitosterol-containing products have been commercialized. To offset the low efficacy of beta-sitosterol, designing beta-sitosterol delivery for cancer cell -specific therapy holds great potential. Delivery of beta-sitosterol via liposomes is a demonstration that has shown great promise. But further research has not progressed on the drug delivery of beta-sitosterol or how it can enhance beta-sitosterol mediated anti-inflammatory activity, thus making beta-sitosterol an orphan nutraceutical. Therefore, extensive research on beta-sitosterol as an anticancer nutraceutical is recommended.

Automated summary

Currently available therapeutic medications are costly and not entirely effective, leading to interest in natural resources for new alternative therapies. Beta-sitosterol, a plant-derived nutrient, has shown anticancer properties against various cancers. However, further research is needed to fully understand the pharmacology, phytochemistry, and drug delivery of beta-sitosterol.