Pristimerin: Natural Occurrence, Biosynthesis, Pharmacology, and Pharmacokinetics

Pristimerin is a naturally occurring triterpenoid originally isolated from plant members of the genus Pristimera Miers, Celastraceae, and can be also isolated from the species of the Hippocrateaceae. The experimental outcomes in its phytochemical and pharmacological aspects are abundant, but an insight overview is not sufficient. The goal of the present review is to deeply describe natural sources, structural analysis, biosynthesis, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics for this bioactive triterpenoid. Pristimerin showed various in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties, such as a cytotoxic, antitumor, anti-inflammation, antibacterial, or antiviral agent. Its underlying mechanisms in anticancer include apoptosis, autophagy, anti-inflammatory cytokine inhibition, migration and invasion, vasculogenesis, and inhibition of drug resistance. Pristimerin is much better than the standard compound ampicillin against methicillin-resistant strains Staphylococcus aureus. Studies on the synthesis, structure–activity relationships, toxicology, and clinical application are needed. Solutions to improve the low bioavailability are expected.