European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Tamanna Talreja, Asha Goswami

Abstract
Phytosterols are a group of steroid alcohols, naturally occurring in plants. Sterols are known to be starting materials for a number of plant steroids, which are used in pharmaceuticals and industries. The phytosterols have been found effective in treating high cholesterol as the plant sterols compete for absorption sites with cholesterol. β-sitosterol and stigmasterol are major phytosterols in most plants. Sitosterol and its related compound, sitosterolin decreases cholesterol absorption and helps to modulate immune function, inflammation and pain levels through its effects on controlling the production of inflammatory cytokines. This modulation of cytokine production and activity may help to control allergies and reduce prostate enlargement.rnMedicinally useful plant Moringa oleifera of family Moringaceae was studied in vivo and in vitro for its sterols. For in vitro studies unorganized tissue was established on MS medium supplemented with various combinations and concentrations of growth hormones.rnCallus (unorganized tissues) of Moringa oleifera was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg /L BAP + 1.5 mg /L 2, 4 D with germinated seed as explant. Tissue was maintained and multiplied for six months under controlled conditions. Plant parts (separately) and unorganized tissues of the selected plant were separately analyzed for qualitative and quantitative estimation of sterols. β-sitosterol and stigmasterol were identified and estimated in Moringa oleifera plant parts as well as in unorganized tissue. Amount of sterols was higher in unorganized tissues than plant parts.