Researchers tested whether two plant-based compounds—phytosterols and phosphatidylcholine—could help lower cholesterol in rats with high cholesterol levels. After 10 weeks of treatment, rats receiving both compounds together showed significant drops in their cholesterol levels, improved liver health, and reduced inflammation. The compounds appeared to work by changing how the body processes and removes cholesterol. While these results are promising, this research was done in rats, so scientists will need to test whether the same benefits occur in humans before making recommendations for people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether combining two plant-based substances (phytosterols and phosphatidylcholine) could lower cholesterol levels and improve liver health in rats with high cholesterol
  • Who participated: Laboratory rats that were fed a high-cholesterol diet to mimic human high-cholesterol conditions. Different groups received different doses of the plant compounds for 10 weeks
  • Key finding: Rats that received both plant compounds together had significantly lower cholesterol levels in their blood and liver compared to rats that only ate the high-cholesterol diet, with improvements seen at all dose levels tested
  • What it means for you: These results suggest that plant-based compounds may help manage cholesterol, but this was tested only in rats. More research in humans is needed before doctors can recommend these compounds as a cholesterol treatment. If you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about proven treatments rather than relying on these findings alone

The Research Details

Scientists conducted an experiment using laboratory rats to test whether two plant-based compounds could lower cholesterol. They divided rats into groups: one group ate only a high-cholesterol diet (the control group), while other groups ate the same diet but also received either phytosterols, phosphatidylcholine, or both compounds together at different dose levels. The study lasted 10 weeks, which is a reasonable timeframe for seeing changes in rat cholesterol levels. At the end, researchers measured cholesterol levels in the rats’ blood and liver, checked liver function, and examined how the compounds affected the rats’ cells at a molecular level.

The researchers used advanced laboratory techniques called lipidomics to understand exactly how these compounds were changing the rats’ cholesterol metabolism. This technique allowed them to see which specific pathways in the body were being affected. They also measured changes in specific genes related to cholesterol processing to understand the mechanism of action—essentially, how the compounds were working at the cellular level.

This type of animal study is an important early step in drug and supplement research. It helps scientists understand whether a substance is worth testing in humans and gives clues about how it might work in the body.

Animal studies like this one are valuable because they allow researchers to control conditions precisely and measure effects that would be difficult or impossible to measure in humans. By using rats, scientists can test different doses safely and examine internal organs and cellular changes directly. This research helps determine whether moving forward to human trials makes sense and provides clues about the best dose ranges to test

This study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed the work before publication. The researchers used established laboratory methods and measured multiple outcomes (blood cholesterol, liver cholesterol, liver function, inflammation, and cellular changes), which strengthens the findings. However, the main limitation is that results in rats don’t always translate to humans—rat metabolism differs from human metabolism in important ways. The study also doesn’t specify the exact number of rats used, which makes it harder to evaluate the statistical strength of the results

What the Results Show

Rats that received both phytosterols and phosphatidylcholine together showed the most impressive results. Their total cholesterol levels dropped significantly compared to rats eating only the high-cholesterol diet. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—often called ‘bad cholesterol’—also decreased substantially. These improvements were seen at all three dose levels tested (low, medium, and high), suggesting the compounds worked across a range of amounts.

The compounds also improved liver health. Rats receiving the combined treatment had lower cholesterol stored in their livers and showed improvements in liver function tests. This is important because the liver plays a central role in cholesterol processing, so improving liver function could have broader health benefits.

Inflammation levels also decreased in treated rats. High cholesterol is often linked to inflammation in the body, so reducing inflammation is an additional benefit. The researchers found that the compounds improved the flexibility and function of red blood cell membranes, which may help these cells transport cholesterol more effectively.

When researchers examined the cellular level, they found that the compounds affected multiple pathways involved in cholesterol metabolism. They influenced how the body breaks down cholesterol, how it’s absorbed from food, and how genes controlling cholesterol production are expressed.

The study revealed that the combined treatment affected several specific genes involved in cholesterol management. Genes responsible for removing cholesterol from the body (LDLR, LXRα, CYP7A1, ABCG5/8) became more active, while genes that promote cholesterol production (ACAT2, SREBP2, HMGCR) became less active. This suggests the compounds help the body naturally regulate its cholesterol production and removal. The lipidomic analysis showed that multiple metabolic pathways were affected, including those involved in fat digestion, cholesterol metabolism, and the production of steroid hormones

Phytosterols have been studied for cholesterol-lowering effects in previous research, and this study confirms those findings. Phosphatidylcholine is a component of cell membranes and has also been investigated for health benefits. However, this appears to be one of the first studies examining the combination of both compounds together, suggesting that using them together may be more effective than using either one alone. The mechanisms identified in this study align with how scientists believe these compounds should work based on previous research

The most significant limitation is that this research was conducted in rats, not humans. Rats have different metabolisms and lifespans, so results may not directly apply to people. The study doesn’t specify how many rats were used in each group, making it difficult to assess the statistical reliability of the findings. The study also doesn’t compare these compounds to existing cholesterol medications, so we don’t know how effective they are relative to proven treatments. Additionally, this was a short-term study (10 weeks), so we don’t know about long-term effects or whether benefits persist over months or years. The study also doesn’t address potential side effects or interactions with medications

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research alone, these compounds cannot be recommended as a cholesterol treatment for humans. The findings are promising and suggest further research is warranted, but human clinical trials are needed before any recommendations can be made. If you have high cholesterol, continue following your doctor’s advice and using proven treatments. If you’re interested in plant-based approaches to cholesterol management, discuss options like plant sterols in foods (which are already available in some margarines and yogurts) with your healthcare provider, as these have more human research supporting them

People with high cholesterol or those at risk for heart disease should be aware of this research as a promising direction for future treatments, but should not change their current treatment based on these findings. Healthcare providers and nutrition researchers should note this as a potential avenue for further investigation. This research is not yet applicable to anyone’s personal health decisions. People taking cholesterol medications should not stop or change their treatment based on this study

In the rats studied, changes were observed over 10 weeks. If similar compounds were eventually tested in humans, it would likely take months to see measurable changes in cholesterol levels. However, human studies would need to be conducted first, which typically takes several years from initial testing through approval. Don’t expect immediate results from any supplement based on this research

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in cholesterol management could track their cholesterol levels (total cholesterol and LDL) through regular blood tests every 3-6 months, logging results in the app to monitor trends over time. This provides objective data on whether any dietary changes are working
  • While waiting for human research on these specific compounds, users could increase intake of plant sterols through food sources like fortified plant-based milks, certain margarines, and nuts—changes that have stronger evidence. The app could help users log servings of these foods and set daily targets
  • Create a long-term tracking system where users log cholesterol test results, dietary changes, and any supplements taken. This allows users to see correlations between their behaviors and cholesterol levels over 6-12 months. Users should also track liver function tests if recommended by their doctor, since this study showed liver health improvements

This research was conducted in laboratory rats and has not been tested in humans. These findings should not be used to make decisions about your cholesterol treatment or to replace medications prescribed by your doctor. High cholesterol is a serious health condition that requires medical supervision. Before taking any supplements or making dietary changes to manage cholesterol, consult with your healthcare provider. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for cholesterol management.