Pterostilbene
Also known as: PT, trans-pterostilbene
Randomized trials in humans report that pterostilbene is generally well tolerated. Trials of pterostilbene alone are small and exploratory (changes in circulating microRNA reported), and larger trials have tested pterostilbene combined with nicotinamide riboside (NRPT), showing increases in blood NAD+ and modest improvements in some liver enzyme markers in NAFLD but no improvement in muscle regeneration after injury.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 4 indexed studies
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Overview
Pterostilbene is a polyphenolic stilbene related to resveratrol that is available as an oral supplement. Human trials have mainly tested it alone at low doses or combined with nicotinamide riboside (NR); evidence for clear clinical benefit is limited and mixed.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Pterostilbene is proposed to activate sirtuin pathways and exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; when combined with nicotinamide riboside it may support NAD+ metabolism and downstream sirtuin-related signalling. Human pilot data also suggest modulation of circulating microRNA expression.
Physiological Role
Exerts pleiotropic signalling effects on cellular stress, inflammation and metabolic pathways via sirtuin activation and antioxidant activity; does not have an established essential physiological role.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
There is no evidence that pterostilbene alone improves muscle recovery or performance. Combined NRPT increases blood NAD+ and has been tested for organ protection and metabolic inflammation, with limited signals on liver enzyme markers but no clear functional benefit demonstrated.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established
- Optimal Range
- Doses studied in humans include 10–100 mg/day when given alone, and 200 mg/day (often administered with nicotinamide riboside 1,000 mg/day) or higher when tested in combination (up to 400 mg/day reported in short safety escalation)
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established; short-term studies reported tolerability up to 400 mg/day (combined dosing in an AKI escalation study) but long-term upper limits are not defined
- Timing
- Not established
- Best Format
- Oral capsule or tablet
- Bioavailability
- Pterostilbene is described as having greater bioavailability and metabolic stability than resveratrol in preclinical literature; human pharmacokinetics were not detailed in the provided abstracts.
- Absorption Considerations
- Not established from the provided human trials
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Minor gastrointestinal symptoms reported in a small number of participants (in combined NRPT studies)
- •No serious adverse events reported in the cited trials
Contraindications
- Not established from provided trials
Drug Interactions
- •Potential interactions with drugs metabolised via common pathways not evaluated in provided abstracts
Who Should Avoid
- •Not established; safety in pregnancy and lactation not addressed in provided abstracts
Monitoring
If used in people with liver or kidney disease, monitor liver and renal function per clinical judgement; trials reported liver enzyme changes as outcomes rather than harms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Pterostilbene typically used or indicated?
Pterostilbene is most commonly used for: General antioxidant support, Liver health / metabolic health adjunct, NAD+/sirtuin pathway modulation (when combined with nicotinamide riboside). Exerts pleiotropic signalling effects on cellular stress, inflammation and metabolic pathways via sirtuin activation and antioxidant activity; does not have an established essential physiological role.
How does Pterostilbene work?
Pterostilbene is proposed to activate sirtuin pathways and exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; when combined with nicotinamide riboside it may support NAD+ metabolism and downstream sirtuin-related signalling. Human pilot data also suggest modulation of circulating microRNA expression.
What is the recommended dose of Pterostilbene?
The optimal range is Doses studied in humans include 10–100 mg/day when given alone, and 200 mg/day (often administered with nicotinamide riboside 1,000 mg/day) or higher when tested in combination (up to 400 mg/day reported in short safety escalation). with a minimum effective dose of Not established. Best taken: Not established. Upper / caution level: Not established; short-term studies reported tolerability up to 400 mg/day (combined dosing in an AKI escalation study) but long-term upper limits are not defined.
What are the side effects of Pterostilbene?
Reported side effects include: Minor gastrointestinal symptoms reported in a small number of participants (in combined NRPT studies); and No serious adverse events reported in the cited trials. Monitoring: If used in people with liver or kidney disease, monitor liver and renal function per clinical judgement; trials reported liver enzyme changes as outcomes rather than harms.
Does Pterostilbene interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Potential interactions with drugs metabolised via common pathways not evaluated in provided abstracts. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Pterostilbene?
Pterostilbene is generally not recommended for: Not established; safety in pregnancy and lactation not addressed in provided abstracts; and Not established from provided trials.
How strong is the evidence for Pterostilbene?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 56/100), based on 4 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (4)
Analysis of the Effects of Short-Term Pterostilbene Intake on Healthy Participants: A Pilot Study.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial in 30 healthy men testing 10 or 100 mg/day pterostilbene for 12 weeks; examined blood biochemistry and microRNA expression and safety.
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene supplementation in experimental muscle injury in elderly individuals.
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of NRPT (1,000 mg nicotinamide riboside + 200 mg pterostilbene daily) versus placebo in 32 elderly individuals to assess muscle stem cell recruitment and muscle regeneration after induced injury.
Nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene reduces markers of hepatic inflammation in NAFLD: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Six-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of NRPT in 111 adults with NAFLD comparing placebo, recommended daily dose NRPT (1×) and double dose (2×); assessed hepatic fat fraction and circulating markers.
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.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled stepwise safety study in 24 hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury testing escalating doses of NRPT twice daily for 2 days, measuring whole blood NAD+ and safety parameters.
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Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.
Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/pterostilbene
SuppIndex. (2026). Pterostilbene: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/pterostilbene
Based on 4 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Commonly studied in combination with nicotinamide riboside (NR) as NRPT; effects reported in trials are from combined products rather than pterostilbene alone.