scirpusin-b and 3-3--4-5--tetrahydroxystilbene

Cardiovascular disease is a global health problem. According to the World Health Organization, ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death globally in 2019, followed by stroke. The French paradox, which has been known since the early 1990s, describes the lower incidence of ischemic heart disease in French people despite the consumption of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids. This phenomenon has been attributed to the high intake of red wine, which is rich in polyphenols, namely, resveratrol and piceatannol. It is becoming clear that scirpusin B, a dimer of piceatannol, has anti-atherosclerotic properties such as vasodilation, antioxidant effects, and suppression of postprandial hyperglycemia; nonetheless, the effects of scirpusin B on the cardiovascular system have not been fully elucidated. This review aimed to describe the cardiovascular effects of piceatannol and scirpusin B on aortic and coronary artery dilation and cardiac function and to outline the cardiovascular effects of prostacyclin and nitric oxide, as these substances are involved in the vasodilatory effects exerted by these polyphenols.

Topics: Benzofurans; Cardiovascular System; Fruit; Humans; Passiflora; Polyphenols; Seeds; Stilbenes

The use of naturally occurring botanicals with substantial antioxidant activity to prevent photoageing is receiving increasing attention. We have previously identified piceatannol and scirpusin B, which is a dimer of piceatannol, as strong antioxidants that are present in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds. In the present study, the effects of passion fruit seed extract, piceatannol, and scirpusin B on human keratinocytes were investigated. The passion fruit seed extract and piceatannol upregulated the glutathione (GSH) levels in keratinocytes in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that piceatannol is an active component of the passion fruit seed extract in keratinocytes. The pretreatment with piceatannol also suppressed the UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the keratinocytes. In addition, the transfer of the medium from the UVB-irradiated keratinocytes to non-irradiated fibroblasts enhanced matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 activity, and this MMP-1 induction was reduced when the keratinocytes were pretreated with piceatannol. These results suggest that piceatannol attenuates the UVB-induced activity of MMP-1 along with a reduction of ROS generation in keratinocytes. Thus, piceatannol and passion fruit seed extract containing high amounts of piceatannol are potential anti-photoageing cosmetic ingredients.

Topics: Benzofurans; Cell Line; Cells; Glutathione; Humans; Keratinocytes; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; Passiflora; Plant Extracts; Radiation-Protective Agents; Reactive Oxygen Species; Seeds; Skin Aging; Stilbenes; Ultraviolet Rays

From stem bark of Callistemon rigidus (Myrtaceae), piceatannol and scirpusin B were isolated as components that exhibit inhibitory effects on alpha-amylase activity in isolated mouse plasma. In particular, scirpusin B also inhibited alpha-amylase in mouse gastrointestinal tract. Thus, we expect the depressive effect on the elevation of postprandial blood glucose may be a new medicinal use of this compound as well as the plant itself.

Topics: Administration, Oral; alpha-Amylases; Animals; Benzofurans; Blood Glucose; Enzyme Inhibitors; Gastrointestinal Tract; Hypoglycemic Agents; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Molecular Structure; Myrtaceae; Plant Bark; Plant Extracts; Plant Stems; Stilbenes