pinocembrin

Pinocembrin is a natural flavonoid (5,7-dihydroxyflavanone) found in various plants such as Pinus heartwood, Eucalyptus, Populus species, and propolis. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antineoplastic (anticancer), vasodilator and neuroprotective effects. Mechanistically, pinocembrin acts through multiple pathways—reducing oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulating mitochondrial function via the Erk1/2-Nrf2 axis to enhance cellular resilience against ischemic injury and neurodegeneration[8]. It also suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation in the central nervous system[5][8], inhibits apoptosis in neuronal cells by regulating Bcl-2/Bax ratio and cytochrome C release[8], irreversibly inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme activity[8], and blocks organic anion transporting polypeptides hOATP2B1/hOATP1A2[8]. Pinocembrin has been investigated for its potential to treat ischemic stroke (phase II clinical trials)[7][6] due to its neuroprotective properties. Additional research supports roles in improving cognitive function in models of Alzheimer’s disease and reducing susceptibility to atrial fibrillation by modulating cardiac electrophysiology[10].

Other names

5,7-dihydroxyflavanone(+)-pinocembringalangin flavanonedihydrochrysin