Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu 180006, India.
Curr Med Chem. 2011;18(29):4557-67. doi: 10.2174/092986711797287593.
Phytosterols (PSs) are a group of plant derived steroid alcohols, with wide occurrence in vegetables and fruits. They are integral components of plant cell membranes, having stabilizing effects on phospholipids bilayer, just like cholesterol in animal cell membranes. Structural resemblance of PSs with cholesterol enables them to displace low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the human intestine. Protective effects of PSs against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), colon and breast cancer developments have been widely documented. Several reports have been published on the potential dietary intake of common PSs, such as β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, and their safety concerns. Ability of PSs to reduce cholesterol levels and risks associated with heart problems has made them a class of favorite food supplements. Nowadays functional foods supplemented with PSs have become an alternative and healthy tool to lower LDL-cholesterol levels in a natural way. However, excessive use of PSs has been observed to develop premature coronary artery disease in phytosterolemic patients, high risk of atherosclerotic CVDs, myocardial infarction and even impaired endothelial functions. This manuscript will highlight the recent developments in PSs with particular focus on their role as dietary supplements and in treatment of various heart- and cholesterol-related ailments. Recently explored side effects of PSs will also be discussed.
植物甾醇（PSs）是一组植物源性甾体醇，广泛存在于蔬菜和水果中。它们是植物细胞膜的组成部分，对磷脂双分子层具有稳定作用，就像动物细胞膜中的胆固醇一样。PSs 与胆固醇的结构相似，使它们能够在人体肠道中取代低密度脂蛋白（LDL）胆固醇。PSs 对心血管疾病（CVDs）、结肠癌和乳腺癌发展的保护作用已被广泛记录。已经发表了一些关于常见 PSs（如β-谷甾醇、豆甾醇和菜油甾醇）及其安全性问题的潜在膳食摄入量的报告。PSs 降低胆固醇水平和与心脏问题相关的风险的能力使它们成为一类受欢迎的食品补充剂。如今，富含 PSs 的功能性食品已成为一种替代和健康的工具，可自然降低 LDL 胆固醇水平。然而，已经观察到过量使用 PSs 会导致植烷醇血症患者过早出现冠状动脉疾病、动脉粥样硬化性 CVDs、心肌梗死甚至内皮功能受损的高风险。本文将重点介绍 PSs 的最新研究进展，特别关注它们作为膳食补充剂以及治疗各种与心脏和胆固醇相关疾病的作用。最近还探讨了 PSs 的副作用。
