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Chapter-20 Anticancer Properties of Phytosterols

BOOK TITLE: Herbal Medicine: A Cancer Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Perspective

Author
1. Bradford Peter G
2. Awad Atif B
ISBN
9788184488418
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11166_20
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2010
Pages
13
Author Affiliations
1. School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
2. School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Dietary phytosterols may provide protection against the most common cancers that affect men and women today, including cancers of the colon, breast, and prostate. Phytosterols are plant sterols found in many edible foodstuffs particularly those with high lipid content such as nuts, soybean, and peanuts but also a variety of fruits and grains. Phytosterols are similar in structure to cholesterol but are found exclusively in plants; the most common dietary phytosterols being b-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. Phytosterol supplements are marketed for their cholesterol-lowering activity and significant amounts of phytosterols from both natural foods and supplements reach the general blood circulation. Numeous epidemiological analyses and specific case controlled studies have shown that diets rich in phytosterols are correlated with lower incidences of cancers of the breast, colon, and lung, as well as the symptomatic relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Animal studies have been more definitive in demonstrating a causative effect of dietary phytosterols in lowering the incidence of cancers. In controlled animal studies, dietary phytosterols offered protection against both the incidence of chemically-induced cancers of the colon, breast, and prostate as well as the metastasis of explanted cancer cells. Molecular studies revealed that phytosterols at dietary relevant concentrations affect both the tumor as well as the host. In tumor cells, phytosterols affect cells cycle kinetics by slowing the progression through critical checkpoints and by promoting efficient genetic repair or induction of programmed cell death or apoptosis. In the host, phytosterols function as immunomodulatory agents by augmenting T-helper cell cytokine production and the activity of natural killer cells. Thus, phytosterols function as system modulators that overtime produce significant and beneficial anticancer effects.

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