Piceatannol

Piceatannol is a stilbene compound similar to resveratrol, found in passion fruit, grapes, and berries. Also a metabolite of resveratrol. May have superior bioavailability and bioactivity compared to resveratrol in some studies. Unique SIRT1 activation and AMPK effects. Preliminary human studies suggest benefits for insulin sensitivity. Less studied than resveratrol but potentially more promising. Contains extra hydroxyl group giving stronger antioxidant activity.

Quick Answer

What it is

Piceatannol is a stilbene compound similar to resveratrol, found in passion fruit, grapes, and berries. Also a metabolite of resveratrol.

Key findings

  • Grade C: Insulin Sensitivity
  • Grade D: Cancer Cell Proliferation
  • Grade D: Antioxidant Activity

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Piceatannol

Quick Facts: Piceatannol

  • Best Evidence:Grade D
  • Conditions Studied:3
  • Research Outcomes:8
  • Key Effect:Antioxidant Status
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B0
C1
D7
3 conditions · 8 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

|
C
Insulin Sensitivity
Small human studies using passion fruit seed extract (a piceatannol source) reported improved insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals. In db/db diabetic mice, piceatannol promoted glucose uptake via GLUT4 translocation to plasma membrane and suppressed blood glucose levels (PMID:22579688).
smallImproves
D
Cancer Cell Proliferation
In vitro studies show piceatannol induces apoptosis in melanoma (PMID:15309446), inhibits proliferation and invasion in hepatoma cells (PMID:22496613), suppresses metastatic potential in breast epithelial cells (PMID:23877152), and enhances cisplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells (PMID:23833193). Resveratrol is converted to piceatannol by CYP1B1, an enzyme overexpressed in tumors (PMID:11875742). All evidence is preclinical.
moderateWorsens
D
Inflammatory Response
In vitro evidence shows piceatannol inhibits mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation (PMID:23426871) and suppresses effector T cell functions by inhibiting TcR signaling (PMID:25676533). Also induces SIRT1 expression in human monocytic cells, a pathway linked to anti-inflammatory regulation (PMID:25360511).
smallWorsens
D
Neuronal Oxidative Damage
In vitro studies show piceatannol protects HT22 neuronal cells against glutamate-mediated oxidative injury via heme oxygenase-1 induction (PMID:23712764) and exhibits neuroprotective activity in rat primary cortex neurons through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway (PMID:30213108).
smallImproves
D
Liver Fibrosis
In a mouse model, piceatannol attenuated carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis (PMID:34676843). Additionally, piceatannol reduced renal fibrosis in a unilateral ureteral obstruction model via downregulation of HDAC4/5 and p38-MAPK signaling (PMID:27902771), suggesting broad anti-fibrotic potential.
smallImproves
D
Antioxidant Activity
Multiple in vitro studies demonstrate piceatannol has superior radical scavenging activity compared to resveratrol due to its additional hydroxyl group. Effectively scavenges hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals (PMID:18959413) and shows greater antioxidant potency than resveratrol in structure-activity comparisons (PMID:15748702).
moderateImproves
D
Cardiovascular Function
Preclinical studies show piceatannol promotes nitric oxide release via eNOS phosphorylation in human endothelial cells (PMID:26367737), inhibits PDGF-BB-induced smooth muscle cell proliferation via PI3K inhibition (PMID:19887493), and demonstrates antiarrhythmic effects in a whole-heart long QT syndrome model (PMID:28606656). A pharmacological review supports multiple cardiovascular-protective mechanisms (PMID:24919577).
smallImproves
D
Adipogenesis and Fat Accumulation
In vitro studies show piceatannol inhibits adipocyte differentiation by modulating mitotic clonal expansion and insulin receptor-dependent signaling during early-phase adipogenesis (PMID:22298784). Animal studies support anti-obesity effects through inhibition of lipid accumulation.
smallImproves

Research Citations (23)

Resveratrol, Piceatannol, Curcumin, and Quercetin as Therapeutic Targets in Gastric Cancer-Mechanisms and Clinical Implications for Natural Products.
(2024)
PMID: 39795061
Hepatoprotective effect of piceatannol against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
(2021)
PMID: 34676843
Antioxidant Activity and Neuroprotective Activity of Stilbenoids in Rat Primary Cortex Neurons via the PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway.
(2018)
PMID: 30213108
Divergent antiarrhythmic effects of resveratrol and piceatannol in a whole-heart model of long QT syndrome.
(2017)
PMID: 28606656
A Comprehensive Review on the Chemotherapeutic Potential of Piceatannol for Cancer Treatment, with Mechanistic Insights.
(2016)
PMID: 26758628
Piceatannol Attenuates Renal Fibrosis Induced by Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction via Downregulation of Histone Deacetylase 4/5 or p38-MAPK Signaling.
(2016)
PMID: 27902771
Piceatannol inhibits effector T cell functions by suppressing TcR signaling.
(2015)
PMID: 25676533
Piceatannol, a natural hydroxylated analog of resveratrol, promotes nitric oxide release through phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in human endothelial cells.
(2015)
PMID: 26367737
A review of the pharmacological effects of piceatannol on cardiovascular diseases.
(2014)
PMID: 24919577
Piceatannol and its metabolite, isorhapontigenin, induce SIRT1 expression in THP-1 human monocytic cell line.
(2014)
PMID: 25360511

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