Spinasterol (Phytosterol · Anti-inflammatory · Gastroprotective)
| Compound | Spinasterol (Δ7,22-Stigmastadienol; 22-Dehydro-Δ7-cholesterol) |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Phytosterol (Δ7-sterol; distinct from common Δ5-phytosterols) |
| CAS | 481-18-5 |
| Primary source | Spinacia oleracea (spinach), Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seed), Cucumis sativus (cucumber) |
| Key applications | Anti-inflammatory; gastroprotective; antifungal; cholesterol modulation |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Pumpkin Seed Extract Powder; Spinach Powder; co-delivered in Cucurbit phytosterol fractions |
| Buy from Herbuno |
Pumpkin Seed Extract Powder → Spinach Powder - Nutrient-Rich → |
Name origin: Spinasterol is named after Spinacia oleracea (spinach), from which it was first isolated. It is a Δ7-sterol — bearing the double bond at C7–C8 rather than C5–C6 as in the common Δ5-phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol) — and carries a C22–C23 trans double bond in the side chain, making it a Δ7,22-diene. Traditional use: Pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) has been used in traditional European and Native American medicine for urinary tract and prostate health, and in helminthic expulsion. Spinach is one of the oldest cultivated leafy vegetables across Persian, Arabic, and European traditions, consumed as a broad nutritive and digestive tonic. Research trajectory: Spinasterol's Δ7 double bond position makes it a chemically distinct phytosterol that behaves differently from Δ5-sterols in enzyme assays. Research has characterised anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective (particularly gastric ulcer models), and antifungal activities not fully replicated in Δ5-sterols at equivalent doses. Commercial source: Spinasterol is available from Herbuno via Pumpkin Seed Extract Powder and Spinach Powder, delivering the full phytosterol and micronutrient complement of these sources.
Evidence for Spinasterol Applications
Gastroprotective activity: Spinasterol has demonstrated significant gastric ulcer protective activity in rodent ethanol- and indomethacin-induced ulcer models, reducing ulcer index scores and increasing gastric mucus production at 25–100 mg/kg doses. The mechanism involves prostaglandin E₂ pathway upregulation and gastric mucosal glutathione replenishment. This gastroprotective profile is more pronounced for spinasterol than for beta-sitosterol in head-to-head model comparisons. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-inflammatory: COX inhibition and NF-κB pathway modulation have been documented for spinasterol in macrophage activation and paw oedema models. The Δ7 sterol ring system appears to interact differently with cyclooxygenase active site geometry than Δ5-sterols. Claim strength: Moderate.
Antifungal activity: Spinasterol inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis in fungal cell membranes, with demonstrated activity against Candida albicans and dermatophytes in in vitro models. The mechanism targets the fungal Δ7-reductase and Δ7,8-isomerase steps. Claim strength: Emerging.
Cholesterol modulation: As a phytosterol, spinasterol competes with dietary cholesterol for micellar solubilisation and enterocyte absorption, consistent with the class mechanism. Spinasterol is present at low concentrations in commercial phytosterol preparations relative to beta-sitosterol and campesterol; its contribution to total sterol LDL-lowering effects is minor. Claim strength: Moderate (class); Emerging (spinasterol-specific).
Pumpkin Seed Extract Powder →
Spinach Powder - Nutrient-Rich →
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
No human clinical dosing data exist for isolated spinasterol. Pumpkin seed extract preparations studied for BPH and urinary health use 320–500 mg/day concentrated extract. Spinasterol content in pumpkin seed extract is not typically standardised; the primary commercial phytosterol specifications target total phytosterols (≥1–5%) dominated by beta-sitosterol.
Standard commercial phytosterol concentrates (soy, rapeseed) are predominantly beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol — all Δ5-sterols. Spinasterol, a Δ7-sterol, is present at low concentrations and is not typically quantified. Pumpkin seed and spinach extracts are better sources for spinasterol-specific applications.
Pumpkin seed extract is highly compatible with softgel and capsule formats. The oil fraction provides natural lipid carriers for phytosterol solubilisation. Shelf stability is good under nitrogen packaging; oxidation of the phytosterol fraction is accelerated by heat and light exposure.
Spinasterol has no known drug interactions. General phytosterol caution: high doses (>3 g/day total) may reduce fat-soluble vitamin absorption; not a concern at typical extract doses where spinasterol is a minor constituent.
Frequently Asked Questions — Spinasterol
How does spinasterol differ from beta-sitosterol?
Beta-sitosterol is a Δ5-phytosterol (double bond at C5–C6); spinasterol is a Δ7,22-phytosterol (double bonds at C7–C8 and C22–C23). This structural distinction results in different enzyme interaction profiles, explaining spinasterol's more pronounced gastroprotective and antifungal activities compared to beta-sitosterol.
Is spinasterol present in standard phytosterol complexes (Natural Phytosterol 95%)?
Standard phytosterol concentrates from soy or rapeseed are predominantly Δ5-sterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol). Spinasterol is a Δ7-sterol present at low concentrations not typically quantified. Pumpkin seed and spinach extracts are better sources for spinasterol-specific applications.
What formulation categories best leverage spinasterol's gastroprotective profile?
Gastric mucosal support supplements, digestive health formulas, and post-NSAID gastrointestinal recovery products can incorporate pumpkin seed extract as a spinasterol-delivering ingredient. Human clinical trials are not yet available for spinasterol specifically.
Can spinasterol contribute to prostate health formulations via pumpkin seed?
Pumpkin seed extract's BPH activity is attributed to multiple phytosterols and other constituents (cucurbitin, zinc, fatty acids). Spinasterol is one contributing phytosterol alongside beta-sitosterol. EMA has a traditional use monograph for Cucurbita pepo seed preparations in lower urinary tract symptoms.
Related compounds: Beta-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Campesterol, Friedelin
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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