Compound in blueberry, pterostilbene

In the issue of Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry dated May 4, 2005, it was reported that blueberries contain a beneficial compound called pterostilbene.

In recent studies on pterostilbene have demonstrated a wide range of positive effects on gene expression, up-regulating many disease protective, anti-aging genetic functions.

Pterostilbene is a natural methoxylated analogue of resveratrol, and it was evaluated for antioxidative potential. Pterostilbene’s lipid lowering ability was superior to both resveratrol and the prescription drug Ciprofibrate. On a cellular level, it works much like metabolism and fats in the blood stream, and it helps prevent the deposition of plaque.

In another study published in 2007 in Clinical cancer Research, describes research conducted by Rutgers University and USDA relationship between pterostilbene, and colon cancer. Researchers concluded that the ‘study suggest that pterostilbene, a compound present in blueberries, is of great interest for the prevention of colon cancer.’

Pterostilbene is a chemopreventive and is known to possess anti-inflammatory activity as well as induce apoptosis in various types of cancer cells.

The effects of pterostilbene on cell viability in human gastric carcinoma melanoma and leukemia have been investigated.

Study by University of Vermont, Burlington published in Journal of Surgical Research reported that pterostilbene inhibits breasts cancer in vitro through mitochondrial depolarization and induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis.
Compound in blueberry, pterostilbene