Pterostilbene: Berry Compound that Suppresses Cancer-Causing Enzyme

Filed in archive Studies , Treatment on January 5, 2007

Pterostilbene (pronounced "tare-o-STILL-bean") is a berry and grape compound that has been found to have health benefits including being a cancer inhibitor.

Recent findings at the USDA/ARS further supported this claim which found that the compound strongly suppresses a type of enzyme that activates cancer-causing processes.

"...an enzyme called cytochrome P450, which sets off a variety of compounds--known as "procarcinogens--that can turn substances such as cigarette smoke and pesticides into cancer-causing agents.

Cytochromes are a factor in people's varying responses to drugs and toxins entering their bodies.

Studies led by ARS chemist Agnes Rimando have previously shown that pterostilbene can help lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. This particular compound has been found present in a genus of shrubs that includes many types of berries, including blueberries. Rimando has already done studies on the compound showing that it is a powerful antioxidant that shows cancer-fighting properties similar to those of resveratrol (a compound found in large quantities in the skins of red grapes that's known for its cardiovascular and cancer-fighting benefits)

In the most recent study conducted in Poland's University of Medical Science in Poznañ, Rimando and her colleagues have been able to demonstrate that pterostilbene showed strong inhibitory activity (much more than resveratrol) against a particular form of cytochrome P450.

While pterostilbene is a derivative of resveratrol and the studies have promising results, more studies are still needed to explain the anti-cancer activity of this compound and other trans-resveratrols.

Source: USDA/ARS