(+)-Pinoresinol is a lignan that has been found in Forsythia and virgin olive oils and has diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.1,2,3,4 It is an inhibitor of α-glucosidase and maltase (IC50s = 492 and 34.3 μM in Baker's yeast and rat small intestine, respectively).3 (+)-Pinoresinol scavenges ABTS , but not 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl , radicals in cell-free assays (IC50s = 13.43 and >200 μg/ml, respectively).2 It is cytotoxic to A549, HepG2, and MCF-7, but not U251 and Bcap-37, cells with IC50 values of 29.35, 62.35, 75.32, >80, and >80 μM, respectively. (+)-Pinoresinol prevents cell death induced by glutamate in HT22 cells (EC50 = 6.96 μM) and inhibits LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells (IC50 = 7.89 μM).4
References
1. LÓpez-Biedma, A., SÁnchez-Quesada, C., Delgado-RodrÍguez, M., et al. The biological activities of natural lignans from olives and virgin olive oils: A review. J. Funct. Foods 26, 36-47 (2016).
2. Li, D.-Q., Wang, D., Zhou, L., et al. Antioxidant and cytotoxic lignans from the roots of Bupleurum chinense. J. Asian Nat. Prod. Res. 19(5), 519-527 (2017).
3. Wikul, A., Damsud, T., Kataoka, K., et al. (+)-Pinoresinol is a putative hypoglycemic agent in defatted sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds though inhibiting α-glucosidase. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 22(16), 5215-5217 (2012).
4. In, S.-J., Seo, K.-H., Song, N.-Y., et al. Lignans and neolignans from the stems of Vibrunum erosum and their neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity. Arch. Pharm. Res. 38(1), 26-34 (2015).