| abstract |
The present invention concerns ergostadientriols which may be recovered from either the fungus R. oligosporus or the fungus R. oryzae as well as from soybeans which have been fermented with either of these fungi. Alternatively, the sterols may be chemically synthesized. The sterols of this invention are antioxidants which may be used in antioxidant compositions alone or preferably with one or more isoflavone. Of particular significance is the discovery that the ergostadientriols of this invention are useful in lowering serum cholesterol levels. Accordingly, this invention in a particularly preferred embodiment discloses pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more ergostadientriol. Finally, therapeutic methods which utilize pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with this invention are disclosed. |