A class of organic compounds known as STEROLS or STEROIDS derived from plants.

Stigmasterol is a plant-derived steroidal sapogenin, structurally similar to cholesterol, found in various plants and some animal sources, which exhibits weak estrogenic activity and has potential uses in the pharmaceutical industry.

A family of sterols commonly found in plants and plant oils. Alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers have been characterized.

The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.

Pyrolysis of organic compounds at the temperature of a hydrogen-air flame to produce ionic intermediates which can be collected and the resulting ion current measured by gas chromatography.

A plant genus of the family Aloeaceae, order Liliales (or Asphodelaceae, Asparagales in APG system) which is used medicinally. It contains anthraquinone glycosides such as aloin-emodin or aloe-emodin (EMODIN).

Oil from ZEA MAYS or corn plant.

Oils derived from plants or plant products.

A plant genus of the family ASTERACEAE that is similar to CONYZA. Members contain SESQUITERPENES.

A CHROMATOGRAPHY method using supercritical fluid, usually carbon dioxide under very high pressure (around 73 atmospheres or 1070 psi at room temperature) as the mobile phase. Other solvents are sometimes added as modifiers. This is used both for analytical (SFC) and extraction (SFE) purposes.

The process of converting an acid into an alkyl or aryl derivative. Most frequently the process consists of the reaction of an acid with an alcohol in the presence of a trace of mineral acid as catalyst or the reaction of an acyl chloride with an alcohol. Esterification can also be accomplished by enzymatic processes.

Steroids with a hydroxyl group at C-3 and most of the skeleton of cholestane. Additional carbon atoms may be present in the side chain. (IUPAC Steroid Nomenclature, 1987)

Cholesterol which is contained in or bound to low density lipoproteins (LDL), including CHOLESTEROL ESTERS and free cholesterol.

Botanically, a type of single-seeded fruit in which the pericarp enclosing the seed is a hard woody shell. In common usage the term is used loosely for any hard, oil-rich kernel. Of those commonly eaten, only hazel, filbert, and chestnut are strictly nuts. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, and coconuts are really drupes. Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamias, and cashews are really seeds with a hard shell derived from the testa rather than the pericarp.

Ability of ERYTHROCYTES to change shape as they pass through narrow spaces, such as the microvasculature.

'Squalene' is a biologically occurring triterpene compound, naturally produced in humans, animals, and plants, that forms an essential part of the lipid-rich membranes in various tissues, including the skin surface and the liver, and has been studied for its potential benefits in skincare, dietary supplements, and vaccine adjuvant systems.

Substances used to lower plasma CHOLESTEROL levels.

Azetidines are saturated, organic compounds containing a 4-membered ring with two carbon atoms and two nitrogen atoms (one as a secondary amine), which can be found in certain pharmaceuticals and natural substances, although they are less common than other cyclic amines.

Fractionation of a vaporized sample as a consequence of partition between a mobile gaseous phase and a stationary phase held in a column. Two types are gas-solid chromatography, where the fixed phase is a solid, and gas-liquid, in which the stationary phase is a nonvolatile liquid supported on an inert solid matrix.

A condition with abnormally high levels of CHOLESTEROL in the blood. It is defined as a cholesterol value exceeding the 95th percentile for the population.

Cholesterol present in food, especially in animal products.

Studies comparing two or more treatments or interventions in which the subjects or patients, upon completion of the course of one treatment, are switched to another. In the case of two treatments, A and B, half the subjects are randomly allocated to receive these in the order A, B and half to receive them in the order B, A. A criticism of this design is that effects of the first treatment may carry over into the period when the second is given. (Last, A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2d ed)

Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal.

The physical or physiological processes by which substances, tissue, cells, etc. take up or take in other substances or energy.

An annual legume. The SEEDS of this plant are edible and used to produce a variety of SOY FOODS.

A subfamily of the Muridae consisting of several genera including Gerbillus, Rhombomys, Tatera, Meriones, and Psammomys.

Fatty acids which are unsaturated in only one position.

Deuterium. The stable isotope of hydrogen. It has one neutron and one proton in the nucleus.