(+)-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 (IC
50s = 492 and 34.3 μM in Baker’s yeast and rat small intestine, respectively).
3 (+)-Pinoresinol scavenges ABTS (Item No.
27317), but not 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; Item No.
14805), radicals in cell-free assays (IC
50s = 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 IC
50 values of 29.35, 62.35, 75.32, >80, and >80 μM, respectively. (+)-Pinoresinol prevents cell death induced by glutamate in HT22 cells (EC
50 = 6.96 μM) and inhibits LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells (IC
50 = 7.89 μM).
4