Effect of long-term piceatannol treatment on eNOS levels in cultured endothelial cells.

Piceatannol (3, 3', 4, 5'-tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a naturally occurring phytochemical found in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds. Previously, we demonstrated that piceatannol has acute vasorelaxant effects in rat thoracic aorta. It was suggested that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) might be involved in piceatannol-induced acute vasorelaxation. Here, we investigated the expression of eNOS in EA.hy926 human umbilical vein cells after long-term treatment with piceatannol, and compared this effect with that of resveratrol, an analog of piceatannol. Long-term treatment with piceatannol up-regulated eNOS mRNA expression and increased eNOS protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, piceatannol increased the levels of phosphorylated eNOS. Treatment with resveratrol also increased eNOS expression, but to a lesser degree than piceatannol. These findings indicate that piceatannol may improve vascular function by up-regulating eNOS expression.

Identification of the strong vasorelaxing substance scirpusin B, a dimer of piceatannol, from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds.

Piceatannol is present in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds in high amounts. In this study, we isolated the second major polyphenolic compound of passion fruit seeds and identified it as scirpusin B, which is a dimer of piceatannol. We investigated the antioxidant activities and vasorelaxing effects of these polyphenols. Their antioxidant effects were measured using an in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and their vasorelaxant effects were determined ex vivo in rat thoracic aorta. Both polyphenolic compounds exhibited potent antioxidant activities and significant vasorelaxant effects in endothelium-intact aortas. More specifically, scirpusin B exerted a greater antioxidant activity and vasorelaxant effect compared with that of piceatannol. Additionally, the vasorelaxation effects of the compounds were induced via the NO derived from the endothelium. This study provides the possibility that polyphenols in passion fruit seeds are effective against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).