Figure 2.

Anti-apoptotic pathway of pterostilbene: PTS mediates its cytoprotective effect mainly through the activation of Nrf-2, which in turn protects the mitochondrial functioning, thereby causing a reduction in the induction of pro-apoptotic factors such as cytochrome C, BAX, and caspase-3. In vascular endothelial cells, PTS protects against the initiation of apoptotic signaling by countering the effect of oxLDL in activating its receptor lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1), thereby preventing the accumulation of P53 as well as the activation of NFκB. Moreover, PTS increases the intracellular calcium levels and promotes the cytoprotective autophagy of the cell, consequently preventing the deleterious effect of apoptosis.