Biological Activity of Stilbenoids Against Fungal, Parasitic, and Viral Pathogens

TL;DR

This paper reviews the antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties of stilbenoids, highlighting their potential as natural therapeutic agents.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive overview of the biological activity of various stilbenoids against multiple types of pathogens.

Findings

Stilbenoids show fungicidal and fungistatic effects against several fungal species.

They inhibit parasitic enzymatic activity and proliferation in various parasites.

Stilbenoids reduce viral replication and inhibit viral genome expression and cell attachment.

Abstract

Stilbenoids are plant-derived chemical compounds that are classified as phytoalexins; recent focus has been drawn, especially on astringin, piceid, piceatannol, pterostilbene, pinosylvin, and resveratrol. These substances have been extensively studied for a variety of beneficial properties, including their effects on pathogenic microorganisms, parasites, and viruses. In their antifungal capacity, they are effective against Aspergillus spp., Botrytis spp., Candida spp., Trichophyton spp., and other fungi; tested stilbenoids have exhibited fungicidal and fungistatic effects, and inhibition of biofilm formation. Against parasites, they are effective against Echinococcus spp., Leishmania spp., Schistosoma spp., Trypanosoma spp., Toxoplasma spp., among others. Relevant action mechanisms include a reduction in parasitic enzymatic activity and inhibition of proliferation. They are also effective against different DNA and RNA viruses; the relevant mechanisms comprise reduction in viral replication, inhibition of viral genome expression, and viral attachment to cells. The toxicity of stilbenoids has been reviewed in recent papers, and, in most cases, the effective concentrations applied are well below the toxicity limit.

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