Compound Monograph
Pinoresinol
Pinoresinol is a plant lignan found in seeds, woody plants and olive oil, and a precursor to other dietary lignans.
Classification
Pinoresinol is a lignan, part of the phenolics class. Antioxidant compounds built around one or more phenol rings — the flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, coumarins, and pigments behind much of a plant's protective chemistry.
Where Does It Come From? (5)
Pinoresinol is a naturally occurring lignan, found in Giant reed, Sesame, Olive and 2 other sources. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Research & Evidence
Pinoresinol is a furofuran lignan that occurs widely in the plant kingdom, including in olive oil, sesame seeds, flaxseed and various woody species. In plants it sits at a branch point in lignan biosynthesis and can be converted onward to related compounds such as lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol. As a dietary polyphenol it is studied for antioxidant activity, and like other lignans it is of interest for its potential metabolism by gut bacteria, though its specific effects in humans are not well established.
Toxicity & Safety
Pinoresinol is a normal constituent of common foods and is regarded as low in toxicity at dietary levels. A detailed independent safety profile has not been characterised.