Cholesterol (For Injection)

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Cat Number

PIE-0004

CAS Number

57-88-5

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Product Detail Description Advanced Innovations Customer Q&A

CAS Number

57-88-5

Storage

Store at -20℃

Synonyms

(3.beta.)-Cholest-5-en-3-ol; (3β)-cholest-5-en-3-ol; 3β-hydroxycholest-5-ene; 5,6-Cholesten-3beta-ol; 5-cholesten-3β-ol

Molecular Formula

C27H46O

Molecular Weight

386.7

Smiles

O[C@H](C1)CC[C@@]2(C)C1=CC[C@]3([H])[C@]2([H])CC[C@@]4(C)[C@@]3([H])CC[C@]4([H])[C@H](C)CCCC(C)C

Appearance

Solid

Melting Point

150°C

Boiling Point

360°C

General Description

Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance classified as a steroid lipid. Produced by all animal cells, cholesterol is an essential structural component of animal cell membranes, where it helps to regulate both fluidity and permeability. Cholesterol also serves as an important precursor for the biosynthesis of steroid hormones (like estrogen and testosterone), bile acids, and Vitamin D.

Mechanism of Action

The known mode of action of cholesterol is to insert into phospholipid bilayers to alter mechanical properties. Cholesterol occupies the space between fatty acid chains of phospholipids. As temperature increases, cholesterol restricts the movement of fatty acids to prevent the membrane from becoming too fluid. When temperatures decrease, cholesterol stops saturated fatty acid chains from packing together and freezing. Cholesterol plays other roles in cell signalling pathways, including organizing functional proteins into specialized membrane microdomains termed "lipid rafts". Cholesterol levels can also be controlled through feedback inhibition of the LDL receptor number and cholesterol synthesis using the SREBP regulatory pathway.

Application

In addition to its role in physiology, cholesterol serves many roles in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is used as a raw material for the industrial manufacture of Vitamin D3 and hormonal medications. Cholesterol is widely used in drug-delivery, especially in liposomes. Liposomes are lipid vesicles used to deliver drugs in a protective capsule so that they reach their target tissue intact. Cholesterol is added to many liposomal compositions to "tighten" the lipid bilayer. It is also added to many luxury skin care products because it is an effective emollient.

Microparticles composed of highly porous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) modified with amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)–cholesterol (PEG–Chol) were prepared as platforms for drug delivery. PLA and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles suffer from low drug loading capacity and burst release effect. However, this hybrid carrier exhibited a high drug loading efficiency and a sustained drug release profile.
The PEG–Chol modification confers dual functionality:
(i) enhanced aqueous dispersibility for prolonged circulation, and
(ii) membrane-anchoring capabilities that promote cellular interaction and endocytosis.
Employing lipophilic drugs with poor solubility and systemic toxicity profiles, such as curcumin (Cur) and tamoxifen (Tmx), the system successfully displayed promising anticancer activity. Testing on MCF-7 breast cancer cells revealed successful intracellular uptake and significant cytotoxicity reduction of cell viability. These results highlight the potential for this system to serve as a flexible and high-performance delivery platform for effective breast cancer treatment.

Fig. 2 (a) A detailed description of the methodology used to obtain porous PLA microparticles (MPs) loaded with the drug, and (b) a three-step protocol for their surface functionalization. (Chettupalli A K, et al. 2025)

References

Mohammed-Sadhakathullah A H M, et al. Cholesterol-functionalized porous PLA microparticles for enhanced drug delivery. ACS applied bio materials. 2025, 8(9): 7743-7756.

Does Cholesterol require protection from light during long-term storage?

Yes, keep Cholesterol in amber glass or opaque containers to prevent photo-oxidation.

What details should I include in a Cholesterol inquiry?

Specify the quantity, Cat number, and CAS number for Cholesterol.

How long does it take to receive a Cholesterol formal quote?

We usually issue a formal quote for Cholesterol within 48 business hours.

How will I receive the tracking number for my Cholesterol?

Tracking details for your Cholesterol are emailed immediately upon courier pickup.