D-pinitol, a highly valuable product from carob pods: Health-promoting effects and metabolic pathways of this natural super-food ingredient and its derivatives

Abstract

D-pinitol is a natural compound related to the important family of inositols. It can be found and isolated from many plants, being the active component of ayurvedic remedies such as Talisa patra ( Abies webbiana, A. pindrow ) or antidiabetic as Bougainvillea ( Bougainvillea spectabilis ). Although many synthetic and semi-synthetic methods have been reported for D-pinitol and its derivatives, through chemical and biochemical transformations, Ceratonia siliqua L. (Carob), a Mediterranean tree now in decline, known because of its environmental advantages, is the only raw material from which D-pinitol can be isolated in quantities enough for a viable commercial exploitation. Fortunately, the pharmacological interest in this compound has risen enormously in the last years owing to their established multifunctional properties through a variety of signalling pathways: ⅰ) anti-cancer, through inhibition of TNF-ᾳ and suppression of NF-ⱪB pathway; ⅱ) insulinomimetic and metabolic regulator in type 2 diabetes mellitus, via a post-receptor pathway of insulin action; ⅲ) antioxidant; ⅳ) hepatoprotective; ⅴ) immuno-modulator, balancing Th1/Th2 cytokines; ⅵ) osteoporosis preventive, through p38/JNK and NF-ⱪB pathways; ⅶ) anti-aging, via reduction of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway; ⅷ) improver of creatine retention; ⅸ) preventive and ameliorative of Alzheimer's disease through selective g-secretase modulation. Thus, the present review compress the literature reported to date in relation to the health-promoting effects and metabolic pathways of this naturally occurring super-food ingredient and its derivatives, providing an extensive guide for a future utilization of all of its potentialities, aiming a positive impact in the promotion and recovery of carob crops.