RESUMEN
Introduction Beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol, has been linked to antibacterial and antinociceptive effects. Plant sterols exhibit valuable medicinal properties, including anti-adhesive activities. The dietary composition of sterols includes carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and various minerals, along with beneficial reinforcements like essential nutrients. Methodology This study primarily aims to evaluate the antioxidant potential of beta-sitosterol through assessments using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and total antioxidant assays. Results The investigation into beta-sitosterol's antioxidant properties revealed a positive correlation between its concentration and antioxidant activity. Similar trends were observed in the present study, indicating an increase in antioxidant activity at lower concentrations. Discussion and conclusion Our findings demonstrate that beta-sitosterol exhibits significant antioxidant activity in the tested samples. These results highlight beta-sitosterol's potential as a potent antioxidant and contribute to our understanding of its beneficial effects.
RESUMEN
Chronic liver diseases are clinically silent and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. ß-Sitosterol (BSS), major phytosterol in plants, has a wide spectrum of protective effect against various chronic ailments. We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of BSS against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic liver injury in rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups, with six animals in each group. Group I rats served as control while groups II, III, IV, and V rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (0.2 mL/100 g b.w. in olive oil (1:1)) for 7 consecutive weeks. After 7 weeks, group II rats were left without any treatments and served as CCl4 alone group, while groups III, IV, and V rats were treated with BSS 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. and silymarin 100 mg/kg b.w. as oral post-treatments respectively, for the next 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, hepatotoxicity marker enzymes in serum, oxidative stress, and fibrosis marker were analyzed. CCl4 administration caused significant elevation of marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity in serum and increased lipid peroxidation and fibrosis markers such as hydroxyproline, collagen, α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, desmin, and matrix metalloproteinases 9 in liver tissue of rats. This treatment also caused a significant diminution of intracellular enyzmic antioxidants such as SOD and CAT in the liver tissue of rats. All the above adversities were significantly mitigated by the BSS post-treatments. The results suggest that BSS could have a hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress-mediated CLD induced by CCl4.
