Cited by 422Phytochemical Studies and BioactivitiesNatural product bioactivities and synthesisMedicinal Plant Research

Health Benefits and Pharmacological Properties of Stigmasterol

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Bakrim, Saad, Benkhaira, Nesrine, Bourais, Ilhame, Benali, Taoufiq, Lee, Learn-Han, El Omari, Nasreddine, Sheikh, Ryan A., Goh, Khang Wen +2 more·2022·Antioxidants

Abstract

Stigmasterol is an unsaturated phytosterol belonging to the class of tetracyclic triterpenes. It is one of the most common plant sterols, found in a variety of natural sources, including vegetable fats or oils from many plants. Currently, stigmasterol has been examined via in vitro and in vivo assays and molecular docking for its various biological activities on different metabolic disorders. The findings indicate potent pharmacological effects such as anticancer, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Indeed, stigmasterol from plants and algae is a promising molecule in the development of drugs for cancer therapy by triggering intracellular signaling pathways in numerous cancers. It acts on the Akt/mTOR and JAK/STAT pathways in ovarian and gastric cancers. In addition, stigmasterol markedly disrupted angiogenesis in human cholangiocarcinoma by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) signaling down-regulation. The association of stigmasterol and sorafenib promoted caspase-3 activity and down-regulated levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in breast cancer. Antioxidant activities ensuring lipid peroxidation and DNA damage lowering conferred to stigmasterol chemoprotective activities in skin cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation also contributes to the neuroprotective effects of stigmasterol, as well as dopamine depletion and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The anti-inflammatory properties of phytosterols involve the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, the decrease in inflammatory mediator release, and the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Stigmasterol exerts anti-diabetic effects by reducing fasting glucose, serum insulin levels, and oral glucose tolerance. Other findings showed the antiparasitic activities of this molecule against certain strains of parasites such as Trypanosoma congolense (in vivo) and on promastigotes and amastigotes of the Leishmania major (in vitro). Some stigmasterol-rich plants were able to inhibit Candida albicans, virusei, and tropicalis at low doses. Accordingly, this review outlines key insights into the pharmacological abilities of stigmasterol and the specific mechanisms of action underlying some of these effects. Additionally, further investigation regarding pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology is recommended.

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  1. [24]Kaur N. Chaudhary J. Jain A. Kishore L. Stigmasterol: A Comprehensive Review Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res. 2011 2 2259

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Authors
Bakrim, S., Benkhaira, N., Bourais, I., Benali, T., Lee, L.-H., El Omari, N., Sheikh, R. A., Goh, K. W., Ming, L. C., & Bouyahya, A.
Affiliations
  • Université Ibn Zohr (MA)
  • Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (MA)
  • Mohammed V University (MA)
  • Cadi Ayyad University (MA)
  • Monash University Malaysia (MY)
  • Laboratory of Histology, Embryology, and Cytogenetic, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
  • King Abdulaziz University (SA)
  • INTI International University (MY)
  • Universiti Brunei Darussalam (BN)
Corresponding author
  • Lee, Learn-Han
  • Ming, Long Chiau
  • Bouyahya, Abdelhakim
Venue
Antioxidants
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-09-27
Volume
11
Issue
10
Pages
1912
ISSN
2076-3921 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4297347666
Cited by
422
References
124
Citations by year
2026: 97 · 2025: 143 · 2024: 117 · 2023: 64 · 2022: 1
FWCI
8.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Antioxidants (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Monash University Research Portal (Monash University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Phytochemical Studies and Bioactivities
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Natural product bioactivities and synthesis
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Medicinal Plant Research
Keywords
stigmasterol, phytosterols, tetracyclic triterpenes, anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic activity, antioxidant activity, neuroprotection, antiparasitic activity, antifungal activity, angiogenesis inhibition, Akt/mTOR signaling, JAK/STAT signaling, VEGFR2 signaling, Bcl-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2

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