Pterostilbene
Pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene) is a natural analog of resveratrol (a compound in red grape skins) found primarily in blueberries1,2. Evidence suggests that pterostilbene may have preventive and therapeutic properties in various diseases, including neurodegenerative3. While it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties comparable to those of resveratrol4-6, pterostilbene exhibits superior bioavailability, 80% compared to 20% for resveratrol4.
In an animal model of MS, pterostilbene at doses of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg delayed disease onset and decreased severity in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, pterostilbene was associated with reduced risk factors for disease-related optic neuritis, protecting the optic nerves against demyelination and nerve fiber loss and the retina against destruction of key cells7.
For safety in pregnancy and nursing, see “Resveratrol.”
References
1.Lin HS, Yue BD, Ho PC. Determination of pterostilbene in rat plasma by a simple HPLC-UV method and its application in pre-clinical pharmacokinetic study. Biomed Chromatogr. Dec 2009;23(12):1308-15. doi:10.1002/bmc.1254
2.Roupe KA, Remsberg CM, Yanez JA, Davies NM. Pharmacometrics of stilbenes: seguing towards the clinic. Curr Clin Pharmacol. Jan 2006;1(1):81-101. doi:10.2174/157488406775268246
3.McCormack D, McFadden D. A review of pterostilbene antioxidant activity and disease modification. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2013;2013:575482. doi:10.1155/2013/575482
4.Kapetanovic IM, Muzzio M, Huang Z, Thompson TN, McCormick DL. Pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability, and metabolic profile of resveratrol and its dimethylether analog, pterostilbene, in rats. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. Sep 2011;68(3):593-601. doi:10.1007/s00280-010-1525-4
5.Perecko T, Drabikova K, Rackova L, et al. Molecular targets of the natural antioxidant pterostilbene: effect on protein kinase C, caspase-3 and apoptosis in human neutrophils in vitro. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2010;31 Suppl 2:84-90.
6.Stivala LA, Savio M, Carafoli F, et al. Specific structural determinants are responsible for the antioxidant activity and the cell cycle effects of resveratrol. J Biol Chem. Jun 22 2001;276(25):22586-94. doi:10.1074/jbc.M101846200
7.Guo J, Wang J, Guo R, Shao H, Guo L. Pterostilbene protects the optic nerves and retina in a murine model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via activation of SIRT1 signaling. Neuroscience. Jan 25 2022;doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.01.016