Piceatannol

Piceatannol is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol, and a phytoalexin produced by several plants, including grapes, passion fruit, white tea, and Japanese knotweed, in response to infection or injury. It is derived from resveratrol and has a similar but more potent biological activity.

Chemical Structure

Piceatannol has a chemical structure similar to that of resveratrol. Both are stilbenoids, but piceatannol has an additional hydroxyl group. This additional group increases its ability to scavenge free radicals, which are harmful compounds that can cause cellular damage.

Biological Activity

Piceatannol is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-aging properties. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and to induce apoptosis, a process that leads to cell death. Piceatannol also has the ability to inhibit tyrosine kinases, enzymes that can promote the growth and survival of cancer cells.

Health Benefits

Research has suggested that piceatannol may have several health benefits. These include protection against cardiovascular disease, improvement of cognitive function, and prevention of age-related diseases. However, more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits and to understand how piceatannol works in the human body.

Sources of Piceatannol

Piceatannol can be found in several plants, including grapes, passion fruit, white tea, and Japanese knotweed. It is also present in red wine, but the amount is usually small and varies depending on the type of wine and the winemaking process.

See Also

• Resveratrol
• Stilbenoid
• Phytoalexin
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anticancer
• Anti-aging