matairesinol

Matairesinol is a naturally occurring plant lignan classified as a phenylpropanoid. It is found in cereals such as rye and serves as a precursor to mammalian enterolignans (enterodiol and enterolactone), which are associated with potential reductions in cancer and cardiovascular disease risk. Matairesinol exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, and anti-osteoclastogenic effects. Mechanistically, it acts as an agonist of the adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) and modulates several intracellular signaling pathways such as MAPK/ERK-NFATc1 and AMPK. In preclinical studies, matairesinol induces apoptosis via mitochondrial dysfunction—causing mitochondrial membrane depolarization and calcium dysregulation—and suppresses cell proliferation by inhibiting PCNA expression. It also inhibits angiogenesis by reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and exerts neuroprotective effects in models of sepsis-mediated brain injury through upregulation of AMPK signaling[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

(−)-matairesinol3R,4R-Bis((4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl)dihydro-2(3H)-furanoneartigenin congener