Beta-Sitosterol
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Beta-Sitosterol (β-Sitosterol (Plant Phytosterol)) is a dietary supplement with 14 published peer-reviewed studies involving 200 participants, researched for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Cholesterol Management, Immune Modulation & Anti-inflammatory Activity and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
ModerateCholesterol Management
WeakImmune Modulation & Anti-inflammatory Activity
WeakClinical trials
ModerateSystematic reviews
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
To assess the efficacy of beta-sitosterol in the treatment of BPH.
Study Type
Multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind
Purpose
To assess the efficacy of beta-sitosterol in the treatment of BPH.
Dose
20 mg beta-sitosterol three times daily (60 mg/day)
Participants
200 men with symptomatic BPH
Duration
6 months
Results
Beta-sitosterol significantly reduced Boyarsky symptom score and IPSS vs placebo. Peak urine flow increased significantly. Residual urine volume decreased. Beta-sitosterol is an effective option for BPH treatment.
How They Measured It
Modified Boyarsky symptom score, IPSS, peak urinary flow rate, residual volume
To evaluate the evidence for beta-sitosterols in BPH treatment.
Study Type
Cochrane systematic review
Purpose
To evaluate the evidence for beta-sitosterols in BPH treatment.
Dose
Various (20-130 mg/day)
Participants
Cochrane review across eligible RCTs
Duration
4–26 weeks
Results
Beta-sitosterol significantly improved urinary symptom scores and urinary flow. Patients were twice as likely to report improvement vs placebo. Long-term durability requires further study.
How They Measured It
Urologic symptom scales, urinary flow, residual urine, quality of life
To review the evidence for beta-sitosterol for BPH treatment and prostate cancer.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the evidence for beta-sitosterol for BPH treatment and prostate cancer.
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Beta-sitosterol inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, modulates intraprostatic cholesterol, and reduces inflammatory mediators. Four RCTs showed significant improvement in urinary symptoms and flow in BPH patients.
How They Measured It
Review of urological outcomes, prostate cancer markers, and mechanistic data
Cholesterol Management
To assess the cholesterol-lowering effects of plant sterols including beta-sitosterol.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To assess the cholesterol-lowering effects of plant sterols including beta-sitosterol.
Dose
Various (1-3 g/day plant sterols)
Participants
Meta-analysis across multiple RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Beta-sitosterol and related plant sterols significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol by 8-15%. Effects were dose-dependent and well tolerated. Plant sterols are widely recommended as dietary adjuncts for LDL management.
How They Measured It
LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol
Immune Modulation & Anti-inflammatory Activity
To review immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of beta-sitosterol.
Study Type
Mechanistic review
Purpose
To review immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of beta-sitosterol.
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Beta-sitosterol modulates T-lymphocyte proliferation, enhances NK cell activity, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α). Anti-inflammatory effects mediated via PGE2 inhibition and NF-κB modulation.
How They Measured It
Review of in vitro and in vivo immune function studies
Clinical trials
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in effects of pemafibrate on cholesterol synthesis and absorption: a post-hoc subgroup analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in effects of pemafibrate on cholesterol synthesis and absorption: a post-hoc subgroup analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial.
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
ently, we reported that a pemafibrate extended-release (XR) formulation lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cholesterol synthesis and absorption markers in a phase 2 clinical pharmacology study. Here we describe our post-hoc analysis of that study, discuss the mechanism by which pemafibrate lowers LDL-C, and suggest which patients may respond favorably to pemafibrate treatment.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in effects of pemafibrate on ldl-c and related lipid markers in patients with masld: a sub-analysis of the pema-fl study.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in effects of pemafibrate on ldl-c and related lipid markers in patients with masld: a sub-analysis of the pema-fl study.
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
In the PEMA-FL study in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), pemafibrate was shown to significantly decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms of pemafibrate-induced LDL-C reduction in patients with MASLD by conducting an additional sub-analysis of the PEMA-FL study.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in efficacy and safety of pitavastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination vs. pitavastatin: phase iii, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in efficacy and safety of pitavastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination vs. pitavastatin: phase iii, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
We compared the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination with those of pitavastatin monotherapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in [jianpi zishen granule inhibits podocyte autophagy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a network pharmacology and clinical study].
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in [jianpi zishen granule inhibits podocyte autophagy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a network pharmacology and clinical study].
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Jianpi Zishen (JPZS) granules for systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) in light of podocyte autophagy regulation.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in a randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effects of cordyceps militaris beverage on the immune response in healthy adults.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in a randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effects of cordyceps militaris beverage on the immune response in healthy adults.
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
4 weeks
Results
x3b2; levels were markedly reduced in the male FCM group (p = 0.049). Furthermore, the IL-6 levels decreased from baseline in the female FCM group (p = 0.047). The blood sugar, lipid, and safety indices were not different between the experimental groups. FCM can potentially be developed as an immune-boosting supplement without liver, kidney, or blood component toxicity.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Systematic reviews
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in evidence and characteristics of traditional chinese medicine for coronary heart disease patients with anxiety or depression: a meta-analysis and syste
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in evidence and characteristics of traditional chinese medicine for coronary heart disease patients with anxiety or depression: a meta-analysis and syste
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
CHM exhibited an obvious efficacy in treating CHD patients with anxiety or depression, especially for improving the symptom of angina pectoris. The most active compounds of CHM could simultaneously act on the pathological targets of CHD, anxiety, and depression. Multiple effective components and multiple targets were the advantages of CHM compared with WM.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in integrated meta-analysis and network pharmacology analysis: evaluation of zhigancao decoction as treatment for diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in integrated meta-analysis and network pharmacology analysis: evaluation of zhigancao decoction as treatment for diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
variety of cardiovascular conditions. As of now, there are no data to support its use as a treatment for diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the mechanism behind the effect is unclear as well. In the present study, clinical evidence for the efficacy of ZGCD in patients with DCM was examined using a meta-analysis and its underlying anti-DCM molecular mechanisms were explored via network pharmacology.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in efficacy and mechanism of qianjinweijing decoction for asthma: integrating systematic review with meta-analysis and network pharmacology.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in efficacy and mechanism of qianjinweijing decoction for asthma: integrating systematic review with meta-analysis and network pharmacology.
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
y. Modern clinical use of Qianjinweijing Decoction (QJWJ) for the treatment of asthma has achieved good results. However, there is still a lack of research on its efficacy and mechanism of action. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of QJWJ in the treatment of asthma by systematic review and meta-analysis, and to explore its potential mechanism by network pharmacology.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in exploration of the mechanism of traditional chinese medicine for anxiety and depression in patients with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome based on n
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Beta-Sitosterol in exploration of the mechanism of traditional chinese medicine for anxiety and depression in patients with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome based on n
Dose
Beta-Sitosterol (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in managing irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) accompanied by anxiety and depression remains uncertain. Thus, a systematic review was carried out employing meta-analysis and network pharmacology to ascertain the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of CHM therapy.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Beta-Sitosterol research
There are currently 14 peer-reviewed studies on Beta-Sitosterol (β-Sitosterol (Plant Phytosterol)), involving 200 total participants. Research covers Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Cholesterol Management, Immune Modulation & Anti-inflammatory Activity and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Beta-Sitosterol has been researched for: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Cholesterol Management, Immune Modulation & Anti-inflammatory Activity, Clinical trials, Systematic reviews. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 14 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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