Beta-Sitosterol [BSS] and Betasitosterol Glucoside [BSSG] As an Adjuvant in the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients.” TB Weekly (4 Mar 1996)
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) and One of Its Constituent Sterols -Sitosterol [83-46-5] Review of Toxicological Literature Prepared for Errol Zeiger, Ph.D. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 Contract No. N01-ES-65402 Submitted by Raymond Tice, Ph.D. Integrated Laboratory Systems P.O. Box 13501 Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 November 1997 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The nomination of saw palmetto and -sitosterol for testing is based on the potential for human exposure and the limited amount of toxicity and carcinogenicity data. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), a member of the palm family Arecaceae, is native to the West Indies and the Atlantic Coast of North America, from South Carolina to Florida. The plant may grow to a height of 20 feet (6.10 m), with leaves up to 3 feet (0.914 m) across. The berries are fleshy, about 0.75 inch (1.9 cm) in diameter, and blue-black in color. Saw palmetto berries contain sterols and lipids, including relatively high concentrations of free and bound sitosterols. The following chemicals have been identified in the berries: anthranilic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, - carotene, ferulic acid, mannitol, -sitosterol, -sitosterol-D-glucoside, linoleic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, 1-monolaurin and 1-monomyristin. A number of other common plants (e.g., basil, corn, soybean) also contain -sitosterol. Saw palmetto extract has become the sixth best-selling herbal dietary supplement in the United States. In Europe, several pharmaceutical companies sell saw palmetto-based over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
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