Antioxidant Activity of Selected Stilbenoid Derivatives in a Cellular Model System

Biomolecules. 2019 Sep 9;9(9):468. doi: 10.3390/biom9090468.

Abstract

The stilbenoids, a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds, are found in a variety of plants, including some berries that are used as food or for medicinal purposes. They are known to be beneficial for human health as anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, and antioxidative agents. We have investigated a group of 19 stilbenoid substances in vitro using a cellular model of THP-1 macrophage-like cells and pyocyanin-induced oxidative stress to evaluate their antioxidant or pro-oxidant properties. Then we have determined any effects that they might have on the expression of the enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and heme oxygenase-1, and their effects on the activation of Nrf2. The experimental results showed that these stilbenoids could affect the formation of reactive oxygen species in a cellular model, producing either an antioxidative or pro-oxidative effect, depending on the structure pinostilbene (2) worked as a pro-oxidant and also decreased expression of catalase in the cell culture. Piceatannol (4) had shown reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity, whereas isorhapontigenin (18) had a mild direct antioxidant effect and activated Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) system and elevated expression of Nrf2 and catalase. Their effects shown on cells in vitro warrant their further study in vivo.

Keywords: Nrf2; antioxidant; macrophages; pro-oxidant; pyocyanin; stilbenoid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidant Response Elements / drug effects
  • Antioxidants / chemistry*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / genetics
  • Pyocyanine / chemistry
  • Stilbenes / chemistry*
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Thiobarbiturates / chemistry

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • Stilbenes
  • Thiobarbiturates
  • Pyocyanine
  • thiobarbituric acid