GA-Chol（glutamate-cholesterol） is a novel synthetic cholesterol derivative designed to overcome the liver tropism of conventional lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) after local administration. It is synthesized through a two-step reaction involving the covalent conjugation of glutamic acid to cholesterol. When incorporated into LNPs, GA-Chol replaces native cholesterol (typically 38.5 mol%), significantly altering the nanoparticles' properties. A key characteristic of GA-Chol LNPs is their strongly negative zeta potential, which contrasts with the nearly neutral charge of standard cholesterol-containing LNPs. This modification is crucial for altering the LNP's behavior in vivo. Following intramuscular or intratumoral injection, GA-Chol LNPs exhibit superior retention at the injection site, demonstrating robust localized transfection with minimal leakage into the systemic circulation and subsequent off-target expression in the liver. This localized retention effect is consistent across various cancer models. Furthermore, GA-Chol enhances in vitrotransfection efficiency by approximately 10 to 20-fold in different cell lines. Therapeutically, LNPs formulated with GA-Chol enable effective local delivery of potent mRNA cargoes, such as constitutively active caspase-3, achieving significant tumor growth inhibition in mouse models while mitigating risks of hepatotoxicity, showcasing its potential for targeted nucleic acid therapies.

DC-Chol hydrochloride is a cationic lipid. DC-Chol hydrochloride could inhibit Aβ40 fibril formation under appropriate experimental conditions. DC-Chol hydrochloride strongly inhibits amyloidogenesis of oxidized hCT in a dose-dependent manner. DC-Chol hydrochloride induces the production of Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-5) cytokines. DC-Chol hydrochloride can enhance the body's immune response to antigens. DC-Chol hydrochloride is used as a gene delivery vector. DC-Chol hydrochloride can be used in research in areas such as hepatitis B vaccines to improve vaccine immunity.

5α-Cholesta-7,24-dien-3β-ol, a sterol, can be found in hamster cauda epididymal mature spermatozoa.

Desmosterol is an endogenous agonist of RORgamma; Intermediate in the synthesis of cholesterol.

Lathosterol is a cholesterol-like molecule. Serum Lathosterol concentration is an indicator of whole-body cholesterol synthesis.

Cholestenone is the intermediate oxidation product of cholesterol.

Imidazole cholesteryl ester (ICE) is a derivative of cholesterol and serves as a component of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

MOCHOL​ is a novel, synthetically derived cholesterol analog designed as a lipid component in Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs).

β-Sitosterol is orally active. Beta-Sitosterol exhibits multiple activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant enzyme, and analgesic. Beta-Sitosterol inhibits inflammation and impaired adipogenesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells by reducing levels of ROS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB p65 and restoring the activity of the HIF-1α/mTOR signaling pathway. Beta-Sitosterol induces apoptosis in cancer cells through ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysregulation and p53 activation. Beta-Sitosterol exerts its anticancer effects in cancer cells by activating caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, mediating PARP inactivation, MMP loss, altered Bcl-2-Bax ratio, and cytochrome c release. Beta-Sitosterol modulates macrophage polarization and reduces rheumatoid inflammation in mice. Beta-Sitosterol inhibits tumor growth in multiple mouse cancer models. Beta-Sitosterol can be used in the research of arthritis, lung cancer, breast cancer and other cancers, diabetes, etc.

Stigmasterol is an orally acitve, immunomodulatory agent with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect, as well as able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Stigmasterol activates AMPK, which in turn inhibits NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways, reduces microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, and alleviates cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Stigmasterol regulates M1/M2 polarization of microglia through the TLR4/ NF-κB pathway, thereby reducing neuropathic pain. Stigmasterol can be used for neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases, and pain management, among others.

Sitostanol is a saturated sterol found in a variety of plants, including corn, wheat, and rice and reduces cholesterol uptake in rats and rabbits.

DC-cholesterol(3β-[N-(N′,N′-Dimethylaminoethyl)carbamoyl]cholesterol), a lipid, has been investigated in cancer gene therapy and vaccine delivery system.