Beta-sitosterol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
β-sitosterol is one of several phytosterols with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It is white in colour and waxy in nature. It is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and found in Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), Curcurbita pepo (pumpkin seed), Pygeum africanum, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, and soybeans.
Alone and in combination with similar phytosterols, β-sitosterol reduces blood levels of cholesterol. There is some belief that it plays some role in the possible benefits of herbal therapy of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). β-sitosterol itself is used as a medicine in Europe for BPH.
