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beta-Sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation: implications
P J Bouic1, S Etsebeth, R W Liebenberg
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Abstract:
The phytosterols, beta-sitosterol (BSS), and its glucoside (BSSG) enhance the in vitro proliferative response of T-cells stimulated by sub-optimal concentrations of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) several fold at extremely low concentrations (femtogram level). A 100:1 (mass:mass) ratio of BSS:BSSG (termed essential sterolin formulation, ESF) showed higher stimulation than the individual sterols at the same concentration. In vivo activity of ESF was also demonstrated when volunteers ingested ESF for 4 weeks. Proliferation of their T-cells, stimulated maximally with PHA, was significantly enhanced (20-920%) when compared to baseline values. In vitro, ESF (1 microgram.ml) was able to significantly enhance the expression of CD25 and HLA-Dr activation antigens on T-cells and increased the secretion, into the medium, of IL-2 and gamma interferon. NK-cell activity was also increased by BSS and BSSG alone, but with EST a higher activity was always found at different effector:target ratios (100:1 12:1).