Neutrophils represent the body's primary line of defense against invading pathogens. They most rapidly reach the site of injury or
infection, liberate antimicrobial
proteins,
proteases and produce
reactive oxygen species. Prolonged or excessive liberation of these very effective and toxic substances could intensify the inflammatory process and enhance tissue damage in many diseases, such as
allergies,
infections and
rheumatoid arthritis.
Pterostilbene belongs to
stilbenoids, structural analogues of
resveratrol, which act as natural
protective agents in defending the plant against viral and microbial attack. It possesses anticancerous,
antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.The study provides new information on the effect of
pterostilbene [0.01-100 µmol/l] on
superoxide generation in and
myeloperoxidase (MPO) release from azurophil granules of isolated human neutrophils. PMA [1µmol/l], which activates
NADPH-oxidase via
protein kinase C, was used for stimulation of neutrophils Unstimulated cells showed neither
superoxide generation nor myelopereoxidase release after preincubation with the
drug studied.
Pterostilbene dose dependently decreased
superoxide generation in and MPO release from stimulated human neutrophils, however a significant decrease was recorded only in the concentration 100 µmol/l. The effect of
pterostilbene was more pronounced on
superoxide generation in comparison to MPO release. Our results suggest that the effect of
pterostilbene may prove beneficial in controlling
inflammation.