Matairesinol is an

organic compound In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. T ...

. It is classified as a

lignan The lignans are a large group of low molecular weight polyphenols found in plants, particularly seeds, whole grains, and vegetables. The name derives from the Latin word for "wood". Lignans are precursors to phytoestrogens. They may play a role ...

, i.e., a type of phenylpropanoid. It is present in some cereals, e.g. rye, and together with

Secoisolariciresinol Secoisolariciresinol is an organic compound. It is classified as a lignan, i.e., a type of phenylpropanoid. It is present in some cereals, e.g. rye, and together with matairesinol, has attracted much attention for its beneficial nutritional effec ...

, has attracted much attention for its beneficial nutritional effects.

Metabolism

The plant lignans are precursors of the enterolignans (mammalian lignans). A number of plant lignans are metabolized to the enterolignans (

enterodiol Enterodiol is an organic compound with the formula OC6H4CH2CH(CH2OH)sub>2. It is formed by the action of intestinal bacteria on lignan precursors. As such it is sometimes classified as a enterolignan Enterolignans are organic compounds formed ...

and

enterolactone Enterolactone is a organic compound classified as an enterolignan. It is formed by the action of intestinal bacteria on plant lignan precursors present in the diet. Sources Many dietary plant lignan precursors, such as secoisolariciresinol, mat ...

) that can potentially reduce the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

Biomedical considerations

Although some studies attribute disease preventative (cardio-protective and hormone associated cancers like breast cancer) benefits of lignans, the results are inconclusive.Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University
/ref> Matairesinol has been found to act as an agonist of the

adiponectin receptor 1 Adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ''ADIPOR1'' gene. It is a member of the progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family, and is also known as PAQR1. Structure Similar to G protein-coupled receptors (GP ...

(AdipoR1).

References

{{Lignans Adiponectin receptor agonists Lignans Lactones Tetrahydrofurans Phenols Phenol ethers