Extraction and analysis of β-sitosterol in herbal medicines

Knoxia valerianoides is a herbal medicine and β-sitosterol is one of its main components. β-sitosterol is known to control cholesterol levels, reduce the activity of cancer cell, promote prostate gland health and enhance immunity in the human body. β-sitosterol can also be found in vegetable oils such as: wheat germ oil, cotton seed oil and so on. The amounts of β-sitosterol in herbal medicines and vegetable oils have not been reported in the literature since an analytical method has not yet been well established. This paper shows that high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a suitable analytical method for determiing β-sitosterol levels in Knoxia valerianoids Thorel and pitard (Hun Da Ji), Jing Da Ji and several kinds of vegetable oils.