Stigmastanol is a saturated form of natural phytosterols, belonging to the phytosterol class of compounds, with a chemical structure similar to cholesterol [1]. Stigmastanol can lower blood lipids by inhibiting cholesterol absorption [2]. Stigmastanol is often used in functional foods for preventing and treating hypercholesterolemia [3].
In PC12 cells, Stigmastanol (1µM, 2µM, 3µM, 4µM, 5µM, 10µM; 24h) inhibited D-gal-induced cell apoptosis [4].
In sprague-dawley rat models, Stigmastanol (50mg/kg; po; single administered) significantly inhibited intestinal cholesterol absorption after oral administration [5].
References:
[1]. Pinhas H, Loiseau A, Krikorian-Manoukian A, et al. 6-Amino derivatives of stigmastanol and cholestanol. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 1971 Nov; 14(11): 1048-1049.
[2]. Vahouny GV, Connor WE, Habiger RG, et al. Influence of stigmastanol and stigmastanyl-phosphorylcholine, two plasma cholesterol lowering substances, on synthetic phospholipid membranes. A 2H-and 31P-NMR study. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes. 1992 Jan 10; 1103(1): 69-76.
[3]. Gupta E. β-Sitosterol: Predominant phytosterol of therapeutic potential. Innovations in food technology: current perspectives and future goals. 2020:465-477.
[4]. Zhang Y, Xu D, Zhang X, et al. Rice bran oil rescues cognitive decline in D-galactose-induced aging mice by inhibiting Aβ accumulation and Tau hyperphosphorylation induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2025 Jul 1; 14(7).
[5]. Gershkovich P, Darlington J, Sivak O, et al. Inhibition of intestinal absorption of cholesterol by surface-modified nanostructured aluminosilicate compounds. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 2009 Jul 1; 98(7): 2390-2400.