[3][4] It is also found in the caterpillar of the cabbage butterfly, Pieris rapae where it serves as a defence against ants.

[7] Pinoresinol has also been found to be toxic to larvae of the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus and of the haematophagous insect Rhodnius prolixus, which is a vector of chagas disease.

[10] Recently, a second, enantiocomplementary dirigent protein was identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, which directs enantioselective synthesis of (-)-pinoresinol.

[12] A study involving extra virgin olive oil showed that pinoresinol possess in vitro chemoprevention properties.

[14] Pinoresinol, along with other plant lignans, are converted into enterolignans by intestinal microflora in the human body.