Purity >98%. The liver X receptors (LXRAlpha and LXRBeta) are nuclear hormone receptors whose native ligands are oxysterols. Acetyl podocarpic acid anhydride (APD) is potent, semi-synthetic LXR agonist derived from extracts of the mayapple. APD acting through LXR in concert with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), its heterodimerization partner, induces the expression of the ABCA1 reverse cholesterol transporter. This acts to increase the efflux of cholesterol from enterocytes and thus inhibits the overall absorption of cholesterol (ED50 value of 1 nM). In transient transactivation assays, APD was found to be approximately 1,000 times more potent and have 8-10-fold greater maximal stimulation of LXR than 22(R)-hydroxy cholesterol. APD can be used as a positive control for the testing of LXR agonists, which have potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of atherosclerosis.