Occurrence, Bioavailability, Anti-inflammatory, and Anticancer Effects of Pterostilbene

Abstract

Supplementation with natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables has long been associated with a reduced risk of several types of cancer. Pterostilbene is a natural stilbenoid and a dimethylated analogue of resveratrol which is found primarily in blueberries. Pterostilbene exhibits a range of pharmacological properties, particularly anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Due to two methoxy groups in its skeleton, pterostilbene is more lipophilic than resveratrol and thus possesses higher intestinal permeability and cellular uptake and enhanced stability. Moreover, pterostilbene exhibits less toxicity and fewer adverse effects, providing it with superior potential in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy applications. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that pterostilbene possesses detoxification activities, mediating the anti-inflammation response, regulating the cell cycle, augmenting apoptosis, enhancing autophagy, and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis by modulating signal transduction pathways which block multiple stages of carcinogenesis. In this review, we illustrate that pterostilbene is a natural compound having bioavailability. The extensive metabolism of pterostilbene will be discussed. We also summarize recent research on pterostilbene’s anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties in the multistage carcinogenesis process and related molecular mechanism and conclude that it should contribute to improved cancer management.

Comparative Effects of Pterostilbene and Its Parent Compound Resveratrol on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Steatohepatitis Induced by High-Fat High-Fructose Feeding

“…Our data cannot be compared to other studies since no data concerning the effects of pterostilbene on steatohepatitis have been reported so far. Nevertheless, the effects observed in the present study are in line with the anti-inflammatory action of pterostilbene observed in several diseases, including neuroinflammation, dermatitis, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis and obesity [ 49 ].…”

Plant‐Derived Stilbenoids as DNA‐Binding Agents: From Monomers to Dimers

“…They share a common structure generally constituted by a C6‐C2‐C6 unit, i. e. a 1,2‐diphenylethylene moiety, with aromatic rings carrying one or more hydroxy groups. In the last decades, stilbenoids have been largely studied because of their diverse bioactivities, comprising cardioprotection, neuroprotection, anti‐diabetic and anti‐inflammatory properties, cancer prevention and treatment, [6] with trans ‐resveratrol and its methoxylated analogue trans ‐pterostilbene (Figure 1A, B) being the most deeply investigated compounds of this family [7–11] …”

Pterostilbene Nanoparticles Downregulate Hypoxia-Inducible Factors in Hepatoma Cells Under Hypoxic Conditions

“… 20 Its mechanism of action was that it induced cancer cell death by regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, and autophagy, concomitantly inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. 21 However, the molecular biological mechanisms of PTS in hypoxia-induced HCC have not been investigated yet.…”