Source, biosynthesis, biological activities and pharmacokinetics of oxyresveratrol

Abstract

Oxyresveratrol (trans-2,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxystilbene) has been receiving increasing attention because of its astonishing biological activities, including antihyperlipidemic, neuroprotection, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiinflammation, immunomodulation, antiaging, and antioxidant activities. Oxyresveratrol is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol and a phytoalexin produced in the roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of several plants. It was first isolated from the heartwood of Artocarpus lakoocha, and has also been found in various plants, including Smilax China, Morus alba, Varatrum nigrum, Scirpus maritinus, and Maclura pomifera. Oxyresveratrol, an aglycone of mulberroside A, has been produced by microbial biotransformation or enzymatic hydrolysis of a glycosylated stilbene mulberroside A, which is one of the major compounds of the roots of M. alba. Oxyresveratrol shows less cytotoxicity, better antioxidant activity and polarity, and higher cell permeability and bioavailability than resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a well-known antioxidant, suggesting that oxyresveratrol might be a potential candidate for use in health functional food and medicine. This review focuses on the plant sources, chemical characteristics, analysis, biosynthesis, and biological activities of oxyresveratrol as well as describes the perspectives on further exploration of oxyresveratrol.