Description

β-sitosterol

Drug Class: Phytosterols

• Beta‐sitosterols, are derived from the South African star grass, Hypoxis rooperi, or from species of Pinus and Picea.

• Herbal medicines containing beta‐sitosterols may help to relieve the urinary symptoms and urinary flow problems caused by an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia). 

• β-sitosterol administered for 6 months, 
• significantly reduced the prostate size, 
• increased the urine flow rate, and 
• improved the mean voiding time and quality of life score in BPH patients. 

• In three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, β-sitosterol demonstrated,
• superiority in improving self-reported somatic and sexual symptoms, 
• quality of life, 
• peak urine flow, 
• post-void residual volume, and 
• plasma free testosterone levels.

• Explanatory mechanisms; β-sitosterol inhibited the activity of 5α-reductase present in the hamster prostate. This inhibition has been hypothesized to be responsible for its activities in prostate cancer and enlarged prostate.

(Note: 5α-reductase: Enzymes involved in steroid metabolism)