Stigmasterol
Stigmasterol
Stigmasterol (pronunciation: stig-mas-ter-ol) is a phytosterol found in a variety of plants, including the soybean and rapeseed. It is chemically similar to cholesterol, and is often used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and as a nutritional supplement.
Etymology
The term "stigmasterol" is derived from the Greek words "stigma" (meaning "mark" or "point") and "sterol" (meaning "solid"). The compound was first isolated in 1922 from the oil of the calabar bean.
Related Terms
- Phytosterol: A group of steroid compounds similar to cholesterol which occur in plants and vary only in carbon side chains and/or presence or absence of a double bond.
- Cholesterol: A type of fat found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.
- Calabar bean: A tropical vine of the family Fabaceae, native to Africa, which produces toxic seeds that have been used in traditional medicine and as an ordeal poison.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Stigmasterol
- Wikipedia's article - Stigmasterol
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