Protective effect of Pterostilbene against free radical mediated oxidative damage.
BACKGROUND
Pterostilbene, a methoxylated analog of Resveratrol, is gradually gaining more importance as a therapeutic drug owing to its higher lipophilicity, bioavailability and biological activity than Resveratrol. This study was undertaken to characterize its ability to scavenge free radicals such as superoxide, hydroxyl and hydrogen peroxide and to protect bio-molecules within a cell against oxidative insult.


METHODS
Anti-oxidant activity of Pterostilbene was evaluated extensively by employing several in vitro radical scavenging/inhibiting assays and pulse radiolysis study. In addition, its ability to protect rat liver mitochondria against tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and hydroxyl radical generated oxidative damage was determined by measuring the damage markers such as protein carbonyls, protein sulphydryls, lipid hydroperoxides, lipid peroxides and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Pterostilbene was also evaluated for its ability to inhibit •OH radical induced single strand breaks in pBR322 DNA.


RESULTS
Pterostilbene exhibited strong anti-oxidant activity against various free radicals such as DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in a concentration dependent manner. Pterostilbene conferred protection to proteins, lipids and DNA in isolated mitochondrial fractions against TBHP and hydroxyl radical induced oxidative damage. It also protected pBR322 DNA against oxidative assault.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, present study provides an evidence for the strong anti-oxidant property of Pterostilbene, methoxylated analog of Resveratrol, thereby potentiating its role as an anti-oxidant.
Department of Zoology, University of Pune, 411 007 Pune, India. ssg@unipune.ac.in.
Jhankar D
JD
Acharya
Saroj S
SS
Ghaskadbi
D000818:Animals; D053904:DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005609:Free Radicals; D020011:Protective Agents; D013267:Stilbenes; C107773:pterostilbene