Preclinical evidence of the therapeutic role of pterostilbene: Focus on the mitochondria

Pterostilbene is a well-recognized phytonutrient that primarily exists in grapevines, blueberries, and heartwood of red sandalwood. Pterostilbene possesses an array of pharmacological properties, including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, neuroprotective, anticancer, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and antiatherosclerotic. A growing body of literature has shown that pterostilbene demonstrates beneficial effects on mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and mitochondrial apoptosis. This chapter focuses on recent evidence on the ability of pterostilbene to exert a critical influence on the above-mentioned pathways. In addition, a summary regarding the sources and pharmacokinetic aspects of pterostilbene has been provided. Based on the presently available evidence, pterostilbene represents a promising therapeutic agent in the therapy of mitochondrial dysfunction-related diseases.