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Journal of AOAC International 2015The format and matrix in which functional food ingredients are delivered may influence their bioactivity in vivo. Therefore, this paper will review studies which have... (Review)
Review
The format and matrix in which functional food ingredients are delivered may influence their bioactivity in vivo. Therefore, this paper will review studies which have examined plant sterols and stanols being consumed in varying formats and matrices, i.e., fat-containing foods versus low or non-fat foods, solid foods versus liquid foods, capsules or tables versus foods. Furthermore, this paper will examine the issue of providing plant sterols and stanols in either free or esterified form. Finally, a discussion on the importance of microemulsion stability of the sterols and stanols is elaborated. Based on the reviewed information, it would seem that plant sterols and stanols are effective in all food and capsule/tablet formats, and in both free and esterified form. Some failures in clinical trials may be due to unstable microemulsion of sterols.
Topics: Anticholesteremic Agents; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Esters; Functional Food; Humans; Phytosterols; Plants
PubMed: 25942377
DOI: 10.5740/jaoacint.SGEClifton -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2022Natural products in the form of functional foods have become increasingly popular due to their protective effects against life-threatening diseases, low risk of adverse... (Review)
Review
Natural products in the form of functional foods have become increasingly popular due to their protective effects against life-threatening diseases, low risk of adverse effects, affordability, and accessibility. Plant components such as phytosterol, in particular, have drawn a lot of press recently due to a link between their consumption and a modest incidence of global problems, such as Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cancer, and cardiovascular disease. In the management of diet-related metabolic diseases, such as T2DM and cardiovascular disorders, these plant-based functional foods and nutritional supplements have unquestionably led the market in terms of cost-effectiveness, therapeutic efficacy, and safety. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder categoriszed by high blood sugar and insulin resistance, which influence major metabolic organs, such as the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. These chronic hyperglycemia fallouts result in decreased glucose consumption by body cells, increased fat mobilisation from fat storage cells, and protein depletion in human tissues, keeping the tissues in a state of crisis. In addition, functional foods such as phytosterols improve the body's healing process from these crises by promoting a proper physiological metabolism and cellular activities. They are plant-derived steroid molecules having structure and function similar to cholesterol, which is found in vegetables, grains, nuts, olive oil, wood pulp, legumes, cereals, and leaves, and are abundant in nature, along with phytosterol derivatives. The most copious phytosterols seen in the human diet are sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol, which can be found in free form, as fatty acid/cinnamic acid esters or as glycosides processed by pancreatic enzymes. Accumulating evidence reveals that phytosterols and diets enriched with them can control glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as insulin resistance. Despite this, few studies on the advantages of sterol control in diabetes care have been published. As a basis, the primary objective of this review is to convey extensive updated information on the possibility of managing diabetes and associated complications with sterol-rich foods in molecular aspects.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Phytosterols; Sterols
PubMed: 35268696
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051595 -
Journal of the Science of Food and... May 2019Phytosterols, in particular a mixture of pure γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol, develop a tubular system that is able to structure oil. In this study, different...
BACKGROUND
Phytosterols, in particular a mixture of pure γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol, develop a tubular system that is able to structure oil. In this study, different concentrations of a combination of γ-oryzanol and a commercial phytosterol mixture, Vitaesterol®, were used for the development of edible oil oleogels.
RESULTS
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize at nano and molecular scale the aforementioned oleogels and confirm the formation of sterols-based hollow tubule structures. Increased hardness was observed with the increase of gelator content used in oleogel manufacturing. The produced oleogels showed promising features such as tailored mechanical strength and low opacity, which are important features when considering their incorporation into food products.
CONCLUSION
Despite differences in gel strength, oleogels exhibited textural characteristics that make these structures suitable for incorporation in food products. The oil migration profile associated with these oleogels can provide a solution for the controlled release of lipophilic compounds as well as for the retention of oil in cooked food products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Topics: Organic Chemicals; Phytosterols; Plant Oils; Scattering, Small Angle; X-Ray Diffraction
PubMed: 30569530
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9546 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2021Heart failure (HF) and cardiac arrhythmias share overlapping pathological mechanisms that act cooperatively to accelerate disease pathogenesis. Cardiac fibrosis is...
Heart failure (HF) and cardiac arrhythmias share overlapping pathological mechanisms that act cooperatively to accelerate disease pathogenesis. Cardiac fibrosis is associated with both pathological conditions. Our previous work identified a link between phytosterol accumulation and cardiac injury in a mouse model of phytosterolemia, a rare disorder characterized by elevated circulating phytosterols and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Here, we uncover a previously unknown pathological link between phytosterols and cardiac arrhythmias in the same animal model. Phytosterolemia resulted in inflammatory pathway induction, premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Blockade of phytosterol absorption either by therapeutic inhibition or by genetic inactivation of NPC1L1 prevented the induction of inflammation and arrhythmogenesis. Inhibition of phytosterol absorption reduced inflammation and cardiac fibrosis, improved cardiac function, reduced the incidence of arrhythmias and increased survival in a mouse model of phytosterolemia. Collectively, this work identified a pathological mechanism whereby elevated phytosterols result in inflammation and cardiac fibrosis leading to impaired cardiac function, arrhythmias and sudden death. These comorbidities provide insight into the underlying pathophysiological mechanism for phytosterolemia-associated risk of sudden cardiac death.
Topics: ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 5; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 8; Animals; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Cytokines; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Fibrosis; Heart Failure; Hypercholesterolemia; Inflammation; Intestinal Diseases; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Lipoproteins; Membrane Transport Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Phytosterols
PubMed: 34465831
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96936-x -
Biotechnology Advances Dec 2021Steroid-based drugs have been developed as the second largest medical category in pharmaceutics. The well-established route of steroid industry includes two steps: the... (Review)
Review
Steroid-based drugs have been developed as the second largest medical category in pharmaceutics. The well-established route of steroid industry includes two steps: the conversion of natural products with a steroid framework to steroid-based drug intermediates and the synthesis of varied steroid-based drugs from steroid-based drug intermediates. The biosynthesis of steroid-based drug intermediates from phytosterols by Mycolicibacterium cell factories bypasses the potential undersupply of diosgenin in the traditional steroid chemical industry. Moreover, the biosynthesis route shows advantages on multiple steroid-based drug intermediate products, more ecofriendly processes, and consecutive reactions carried out in one operation step and in one pot. Androsta-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD), androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) and 9-hydroxyandrostra-4-ene-3,17-dione (9-OH-AD) are the representative steroid-based drug intermediates synthesized by mycolicibacteria. Other steroid metabolites of mycolicibacteria, like 4-androstene-17β-ol-3-one (TS), 22-hydroxy-23,24-bisnorchol-4-ene-3-one (4-HBC), 22-hydroxy-23,24-bisnorchol-1,4-diene-3-one (1,4-HBC), 9,22-dihydroxy-23,24-bisnorchol-4-ene-3-one (9-OH-HBC), 3aα-H-4α-(3'-propionic acid)-7aβ-methylhexahydro-1,5-indanedione (HIP) and 3aα-H-4α-(3'-propionic acid)-5α-hydroxy-7aβ-methylhexahydro-1-indanone-δ-lactone (HIL), also show values as steroid-based drug intermediates. To improve the bio-production efficiency of the steroid-based drug intermediates, mycolicibacterial strains and biotransformation processes have been continuously studied in the past decades. Many mycolicibacteria that accumulate steroid drug intermediates have been isolated, and subsequently optimized by conventional mutagenesis and genetic engineering. Especially, with the clarification of the mycolicibacterial steroid metabolic pathway and the developments on gene editing technologies, rational design is becoming an important measure for the construction and optimization of engineered mycolicibacteria strains that produce steroid-based drug intermediates. Hence, by reviewing researches in the past two decades, this article updates the overall process of steroid metabolism in mycolicibacteria and provides comprehensive schemes for the rational construction of mycolicibacterial strains that accumulate steroid-based drug intermediates. In addition, the special strategies for the bioconversion of highly hydrophobic steroid in aqueous media are discussed as well.
Topics: Biotransformation; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Phytosterols; Steroids
PubMed: 34710554
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107860 -
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral... Sep 2015Phytosterols are plant-derived sterols that are structurally and functionally analogous to cholesterol in vertebrate animals. Phytosterols are found in many foods and... (Review)
Review
Phytosterols are plant-derived sterols that are structurally and functionally analogous to cholesterol in vertebrate animals. Phytosterols are found in many foods and are part of the normal human diet. However, absorption of phytosterols from the diet is minimal. Most lipid emulsions used for parenteral nutrition are based on vegetable oils. As a result, phytosterol administration occurs during intravenous administration of lipid. Levels of phytosterols in the blood and tissues may reach high levels during parenteral lipid administration and may be toxic to cells. Phytosterols are not fully metabolized by the human body and must be excreted through the hepatobiliary system. Accumulating scientific evidence suggests that administration of high doses of intravenous lipids that are high in phytosterols contributes to the development of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease. In this review, mechanisms by which lipids and phytosterols may cause cholestasis are discussed. Human studies of the association of phytosterols with liver disease are reviewed. In addition, clinical studies of lipid/phytosterol reduction for reversing and/or preventing parenteral nutrition associated liver disease are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Bile Ducts; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Cholestasis; Dietary Fats; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; Humans; Liver; Parenteral Nutrition; Phytosterols; Plant Oils
PubMed: 26177665
DOI: 10.1177/0148607115595978 -
Journal of Atherosclerosis and... Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Cholesterol; Biomarkers; Sitosterols; Intestinal Absorption; Phytosterols
PubMed: 36709995
DOI: 10.5551/jat.ED225 -
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences... Jan 2022<b>Background and Objective:</b> Lemongrass (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>) and turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i>) are widely used by the...
<b>Background and Objective:</b> Lemongrass (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>) and turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i>) are widely used by the community for traditional medicinal spices and cooking spices. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, people use lemongrass and turmeric to increase immunity and protect the body from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the antiviral mechanisms have not been studied much. This study aims to predict the bioactivity of the phytosterol compounds of lemongrass and turmeric for COVID-19 therapy through inhibition of 3C-like protease (3CLPro) <i>in silico</i>. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The 3CLPro protein 3D structure was downloaded from the PDB database with the access code 2ZU2 and the phytosterol compounds of lemongrass and turmeric were taken from PubChem. A total of 59 total phytosterol compounds from turmeric and lemongrass were screened for their bioactivity as an antiviral by using online PASS. Compounds with a high activating potential (Pa) were interacted with 3CLPro protein with the PyRx program and analyzed by Discovery Studio version 19.0 and LigPlus. <b>Results:</b> A total of 22 total phytosterol compounds were identified as potential antiviral agents. Based on the Pa value, 15 phytosterol compounds have the potential to act as inhibitor agents for 3CLPro SARS-CoV-2. The phytosterol compounds of lemongrass and turmeric bind to the 3CLPro protein in the N-finger domain region and the A and B domain inhibitors connect residues of the 3CLPro protein. The phytosterols of lemongrass and turmeric show a low binding affinity with 3CLPro SARS-CoV-2, indicating a strong interaction between ligand and protein. The inhibition of phytosterols against 3CLPro protein can be used as a basis for determining candidates for COVID-19 therapeutic agents. <b>Conclusion:</b> The phytosterol compounds contained in lemongrass and turmeric have the potential to act as 3CLPro inhibitors. Further studies both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> need to be done to prove the inhibitory potential of phytosterol compounds.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Curcuma; Cymbopogon; Humans; Pandemics; Peptide Hydrolases; Phytosterols; SARS-CoV-2; Viral Proteins; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 36098090
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2022.867.874 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2024The characteristic steroid skeleton, with its 4-ringed 17-carbon structure, is one of the most recognizable organic compounds in biochemistry. In the presence of a... (Review)
Review
The characteristic steroid skeleton, with its 4-ringed 17-carbon structure, is one of the most recognizable organic compounds in biochemistry. In the presence of a hydroxyl ion bound to the third carbon, this structure is defined as a "sterol" (chemical formula: CHO). The hydroxyl group provides a hydrophilic site for the otherwise hydrophobic molecule, yielding an amphipathic lipid, which is a vital property for cellular function. It is crucial to remark that the term "steroid" describes a larger group of compounds that often retain the hydroxyl group but are primarily characterized by methyl groups, double bonds in the rings, and an aliphatic side-chain extending from the 17th carbon. In addition to serving various structural roles in the cellular membrane, sterols and steroids contribute to cellular and systemic functions as messengers, hormones, and regulators of several critical metabolic pathways.Sterol nomenclature is often confusing, partly due to structural complexity and partly due to the sheer number of different compounds that fall under the definition. Fortunately, the foremost sterols of interest in biochemistry are much fewer, and therefore, these lipids have been defined and studied vigorously. With the renaissance of lipid research during the 1990s and 2000s, many different metabolites of sterols, and more specifically phytosterols, were found to be associated with various diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, obesity, inflammation, diabetes, and inborn errors of metabolism; thus, it is evident that the ever-evolving research in this field has been, and will continue to be, exceedingly productive.With respect to inflammation and inflammatory diseases, plant-based sterols (i.e., phytosterols) have gained considerable fame due to their anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects demonstrated by experimental and clinical research. Besides, the exceptional pharmacological benefits of these sterols, which operate as antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-atherosclerotic agents, have been the subject of various investigations. While the underlying mechanisms necessitate further research, the possible function of phytosterols in improving health outcomes is an important topic to explore.In this regard, the current review aims to offer comprehensive information on the therapeutic potential of plant-based sterols in the context of human health, with a focus on preclinical effects, bioavailability, and clinical use.
Topics: Humans; Sterols; Phytosterols; Cholesterol; Inflammation; Carbon
PubMed: 38036884
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43883-7_13 -
Food Chemistry Sep 2022In this study, free phytosterols and phytosterol glycosides in rice bran were successfully separated and analyzed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas...
In this study, free phytosterols and phytosterol glycosides in rice bran were successfully separated and analyzed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that free phytosterols in rice bran included ergosterol (129 ± 8 μg/g rice bran), campesterol (126 ± 9 μg/g rice bran), stigmasterol (106 ± 9 μg/g rice bran), β-sitosterol (305 ± 10 μg/g rice bran), cycloartenol (80.5 ± 3.9 μg/g rice bran) and 24-methylenecycloartenol (87.1 ± 2.2 μg/g rice bran), while phytosterol glycosides included campesterol glucoside (16.0 ± 1.3 μg/g rice bran), stigmasterol glucoside (99.0 ± 4.9 μg/g rice bran) and β-sitosterol glucoside (133 ± 7 μg/g rice bran). The methodological validation indicated that this method could accurately quantify free phytosterols and phytosterol glycosides in rice bran. This study provided a new direction to establish a rapid and simple method for the simultaneous determination of different forms of phytosterols in foods.
Topics: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Glycosides; Oryza; Phytosterols; Solid Phase Extraction
PubMed: 35398677
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132742