Key findings from detailed records
Human evidence is limited. One small trial found lower blood pressure but higher LDL cholesterol; combination studies cannot identify pterostilbene’s contribution. Greater exposure is not the same as greater clinical value.
KNOWLEDGE RECORD
- Category
- Metabolism and cellular function
- Last Reviewed
- 2026-09-27
Names and related search termsTrans-pterostilbene; dimethylated resveratrol; Pterocarpus marsupium extract
OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
Scientific Evidence Profile
Assessment pending
An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.
This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.
How we assess evidenceIngredient Profile
- What is it?
- Pterostilbene is a stilbene compound with two methoxy groups. Chemical similarity to another polyphenol is a starting point for comparison, not interchangeable clinical evidence. [1]
Sources for this profile
Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.
- PubChem — Pterostilbene (CID 5281727) Chemical identity reference. Maintained by NCBI, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Database record; not a clinical trial.
Profile sources checked:
Read the evidence in context
- Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
- Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
- Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.
Why It Matters #
Pterostilbene is a stilbene related to resveratrol, with two methoxy groups replacing hydroxyl groups. This structural difference motivates interest in absorption and metabolism. Preclinical exposure or mechanistic advantages do not establish superior outcomes in humans, and direct clinical comparisons are limited.
What Was Studied #
The main monotherapy trial randomized 80 adults with elevated cholesterol to two pterostilbene doses, a grape-extract combination or placebo for six to eight weeks. Its efficacy and safety publications concern the same cohort. Other trials test a plant extract or combine pterostilbene with nicotinamide riboside, which cannot isolate pterostilbene’s effect.[1][2][3][4]
What Was Found #
In the 80-person trial, pterostilbene alone increased LDL cholesterol by an adjusted 17.1 mg/dL versus placebo. The higher dose lowered blood pressure. Both findings belong in the same assessment rather than selecting only the favorable endpoint.[1]
A 60-person trial of a standardized Pterocarpus marsupium extract found no meaningful safety-laboratory differences over two months, but also no significant antioxidant-profile advantage. A separate older-adult trial of nicotinamide riboside plus pterostilbene did not improve muscle regeneration after experimentally induced injury.[3][5]
What the Evidence Means #
A compound can move different risk markers in opposite directions. Without longer outcome trials, the blood-pressure and LDL findings do not establish a net clinical benefit. Reports of NAD increases from a combination do not demonstrate that pterostilbene alone increases NAD or is better than resveratrol.
What We Can Learn #
Check whether the dose describes pure pterostilbene or total extract. The two-month extract trial used 200 mg/day of material standardized to about 90% pterostilbene. Normal short-term laboratories in that study do not erase the LDL finding from a different trial or establish safety for indefinite use.[3][1]
What Remains Unknown #
Independent monotherapy trials need to resolve the lipid response, dose-response and longer-term functional outcomes. Human evidence has not yet established a comparative clinical advantage over resveratrol. The small number of distinct trials is more informative than the larger number of publications and combination reports.
LITERATURE MAP / 7 PAPERS
Compare papers by conditions and findings.
Compare populations, preparations, doses and outcomes. Detailed records below assess selected studies; the remaining entries provide a bibliographic route into related questions.
Selected: 2026-09-27. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. This editorial selection includes major trials, evidence syntheses and different research questions; it is not an exhaustive systematic review. Paper counts are not counts of independent trials.
7 RECORDS
A dash marks fields not assessed in a bibliographic-only record.
| Paper and topic | Study conditions | Findings and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed recordPterostilbene on metabolic parameters: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial.PMID 25057276 # | Study conditions Randomized, double-blind, four-arm placebo-controlled trial
| Findings and scope Monotherapy increased LDL by an adjusted 17.1 mg/dL (P=0.001). The high-dose arm lowered systolic/diastolic pressure by about 7.8/7.3 mmHg. Read detailed record |
| Analysis of safety from a human clinical trial with pterostilbene.PMID 23431291 # | Study conditions — | Findings and scope — Open original paperSafety report from the same 80-person trial as PMID 25057276; not an independent cohort. |
| Detailed recordA Short-Term Safety Evaluation of Silbinol®- an Extract from Pterocarpus marsupium in Healthy Adults- a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.PMID 37671486 # | Study conditions Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety trial
| Findings and scope No significant safety-laboratory or vital-sign differences; no serious adverse events. Antioxidant profiles did not significantly differ. Read detailed record |
| Repeat dose NRPT (nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene) increases NAD+ levels in humans safely and sustainably: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.PMID 29184669 # | Study conditions — | Findings and scope — Open original paperCombination trial; a published correction is linked in PubMed (PMID 30155270). |
| Detailed recordA randomized placebo-controlled trial of nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene supplementation in experimental muscle injury in elderly individuals.PMID 35998039 # | Study conditions Randomized, placebo-controlled muscle-injury/recovery trial
| Findings and scope No demonstrated improvement in muscle stem-cell response or recovery. Read detailed record |
| Nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene reduces markers of hepatic inflammation in NAFLD: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.PMID 36082508 # | Study conditions — | Findings and scope — Open original paper |
| Nicotinamide riboside with pterostilbene (NRPT) increases NAD+ in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stepwise safety study of escalating doses of NRPT in patients with AKI.PMID 32791973 # | Study conditions — | Findings and scope — Open original paper |
No papers match. Change the search conditions.
Explore the research Study Records
Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.
Pterostilbene on metabolic parameters: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial.
PubMed 25057276 DOI: 10.1155/2014/459165
- Authors
- Riche DM, Riche KD, Blackshear CT, McEwen CL, Sherman JJ, Wofford MR, Griswold ME.
- Journal
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
- Publication year
- 2014
- Study design
- Randomized, double-blind, four-arm placebo-controlled trial
- Participants
- 80 adults with elevated cholesterol
- Dose and intervention
- Pterostilbene 50 mg twice daily, 125 mg twice daily, 50 mg plus grape extract 100 mg twice daily, or placebo
- Duration
- 6–8 weeks
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Lipids, blood pressure and weight
- Findings
- Monotherapy increased LDL by an adjusted 17.1 mg/dL (P=0.001). The high-dose arm lowered systolic/diastolic pressure by about 7.8/7.3 mmHg.
- Limitations
- Small short trial; multiple arms and endpoints; no cardiovascular events assessed.
- Funding
- ChromaDex provided a grant and study material.
- Conflict of Interest
- Authors declared no conflicts; commercial funding/product provision are reported separately.
- What We Can Learn
- The LDL and blood-pressure findings must be considered together.
- Scope of source review
- Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
A Short-Term Safety Evaluation of Silbinol®- an Extract from Pterocarpus marsupium in Healthy Adults- a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
PubMed 37671486 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x231198312
- Authors
- Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Paulose S, Mundkur L.
- Journal
- Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine
- Publication year
- 2023
- Study design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety trial
- Participants
- 60 healthy adults: 27 men and 33 women
- Dose and intervention
- P. marsupium extract 100 mg twice daily, standardized to about 90% pterostilbene, versus placebo
- Duration
- 2 months
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Laboratory safety, vital signs and adverse events; secondary antioxidant markers
- Findings
- No significant safety-laboratory or vital-sign differences; no serious adverse events. Antioxidant profiles did not significantly differ.
- Limitations
- Limited size/duration; extract is not identical to pure pterostilbene; insufficient to detect rare harms.
- Funding
- The funding statement reports no financial support; the methods identify ClinWorld (Sami-Sabinsa) as trial sponsor/coordinator.
- Conflict of Interest
- All authors were affiliated with Sami-Sabinsa or Sabinsa.
- What We Can Learn
- This is short-term tolerability evidence for the named extract.
- Scope of source review
- Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene supplementation in experimental muscle injury in elderly individuals.
PubMed 35998039 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158314
- Authors
- Jensen JB, Dollerup OL, Møller AB, Billeskov TB, Dalbram E, Chubanava S, Damgaard MV, Dellinger RW, Trošt K, Moritz T, Ringgaard S, Møller N, Treebak JT, Farup J, Jessen N.
- Journal
- JCI insight
- Publication year
- 2022
- Study design
- Randomized, placebo-controlled muscle-injury/recovery trial
- Participants
- 32 adults aged 55–80
- Dose and intervention
- Nicotinamide riboside 1,000 mg/day plus pterostilbene 200 mg/day versus placebo
- Duration
- 2 weeks before induced injury and about 30 days afterward
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Muscle stem-cell response and recovery
- Findings
- No demonstrated improvement in muscle stem-cell response or recovery.
- Limitations
- Combination treatment, experimental injury model and small sample; cannot isolate pterostilbene.
- Funding
- Novo Nordisk Foundation support.
- Conflict of Interest
- R.W. Dellinger was employed by Elysium Health and held stock options, as disclosed in the primary paper.
- What We Can Learn
- Raising precursor exposure is not sufficient evidence of better muscle regeneration.
- Scope of source review
- Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
Cite this page
LÍFSVARÐA. Pterostilbene: Do human findings support an advantage over resveratrol? Version 1.0 / Updated 2026-10-24
https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/pterostilbene/Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand). Editorial policy
Primary Sources and updates
- Riche DM, Riche KD, Blackshear CT, McEwen CL, Sherman JJ, Wofford MR, Griswold ME. (2014). Pterostilbene on metabolic parameters: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM DOI: 10.1155/2014/459165Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
- Riche DM, McEwen CL, Riche KD, Sherman JJ, Wofford MR, Deschamp D, Griswold M. (2013). Analysis of safety from a human clinical trial with pterostilbene. Journal of toxicology DOI: 10.1155/2013/463595Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Paulose S, Mundkur L. (2023). A Short-Term Safety Evaluation of Silbinol®- an Extract from Pterocarpus marsupium in Healthy Adults- a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine DOI: 10.1177/2515690x231198312Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
- Dellinger RW, Santos SR, Morris M, Evans M, Alminana D, Guarente L, Marcotulli E. (2017). Repeat dose NRPT (nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene) increases NAD+ levels in humans safely and sustainably: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. NPJ aging and mechanisms of disease DOI: 10.1038/s41514-017-0016-9Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Jensen JB, Dollerup OL, Møller AB, Billeskov TB, Dalbram E, Chubanava S, Damgaard MV, Dellinger RW, Trošt K, Moritz T, Ringgaard S, Møller N, Treebak JT, Farup J, Jessen N. (2022). A randomized placebo-controlled trial of nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene supplementation in experimental muscle injury in elderly individuals. JCI insight DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158314Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
- Dellinger RW, Holmes HE, Hu-Seliger T, Butt RW, Harrison SA, Mozaffarian D, Chen O, Guarente L. (2023). Nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene reduces markers of hepatic inflammation in NAFLD: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) DOI: 10.1002/hep.32778Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Simic P, Vela Parada XF, Parikh SM, Dellinger R, Guarente LP, Rhee EP. (2020). Nicotinamide riboside with pterostilbene (NRPT) increases NAD+ in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stepwise safety study of escalating doses of NRPT in patients with AKI. BMC nephrology DOI: 10.1186/s12882-020-02006-1Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
First published: 2026-09-27 / Version 1.0. Sources reviewed 2026-09-27. Funding and conflicts are recorded separately; an unverified disclosure is not a declaration of no funding or no conflict.