Beta-Sitosterol (SKF 14463) has recently been shown to induce G2/M arrest, endoreduplication, and apoptosis through the Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Beta-Sitosterol (SKF 14463) , a main dietary phytosterol found in plants, may have the potential for prevention and therapy for human cancer. Although the exact mechanism of action of Beta-Sitosterol (SKF 14463) is unknown, it may be related to cholesterol metabolism or anti-inflammatory effects (via interference with prostaglandin metabolism). Beta-Sitosterol (SKF 14463) induces apoptosis and activates key caspases in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.

Bioactivity-guided isolation afforded three compounds from the hexane fraction of E. indica, namely, Beta-Sitosterol (β-sitosterol), Stigmasterol, and Lutein respectively. Both compounds are found to possess very low PPL inhibition activity, that is, 2.99±0.80% (Beta-Sitosterol) of inhibition at 100 μg/mL (242 μM) and 2.68±0.38% (Stigmasterol) of inhibition at 100 μg/mL (243 μM), respectively. Weak PPL inhibition activity of Beta-Sitosterol and Stigmasterol isolated from Alpinia zerumbet with IC50 value of 99.99±1.86 μg/mL and 125.05±4.76 μg/mL, respectively, in comparison with the inhibition shown by Curcumin (IC50=4.92±0.21 μg/mL) and Quercetin (IC50=18.60±0.86 μg/mL) which are used as positive controls in their study. Beta-Sitosterol and Stigmasterol are recorded with weak PPL inhibitory activity of only 3.0±0.8% and 2.7±0.4% at 100 μg/mL, respectively, (i.e., 242 μM and 243 μM) in contrast (34.5±5.4% at 100 μg/mL), which are comparatively lower than that recorded in literature (i.e., 50% PPL inhibition at 100 μg/mL)[1]. Sitosterol is an important compound extracted from the leaves of Aloe vera. It inhibits the growth of promastigotes of L. donovani which is a causative agent for life threatening visceral leishmaniasis disease[2].

Beta-Sitosterol (β-sitosterol) treatment markedly decreased immobility times in mice across all tested doses (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) in both Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST), indicating a notable antidepressant effect. The efficacy of β-sitosterol at 30 mg/kg was comparable to that of the positive control, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg), demonstrating the most robust antidepressant effect against the control group (P < 0.001). This effect was consistently observed across the varying doses in the TST, with percentage decrease in immobility (DID) values for FST and TST being 39.27%, 51.23%, and 57.48% for 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg respectively, and 31.63%, 43.95%, and 53.38% for the same doses in TST. These findings confirm the dose-dependent antidepressant activity of Beta-Sitosterol in animal models, highlighting its potential in depressive disorder management.