Resveratrol and its biological actions

Abstract

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that is found in a few edible food materials such as grape skins, pea-nuts and red wine. Numerous reports exists in the literature suggesting that dietary resveratrol may act as an antioxidant, promotes nitric oxide production, inhibits platelet aggregation and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and subsequently may serve as a cardio-protective agent. Recent reports demonstrated that resveratrol can function as a cancer chemopreventive agent, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-ageing and antiviral properties. However, most of these effects are yet to be confirmed in humans. In the only clinical trial, high doses of special proprietary formulation has demonstrated blood sugar-lowering effects of resveratrol in type 2 diabetes mellitus. As with many polyphenols, resveratrol is reasonably well absorbed but has low bioavailability. It is metabolized by hydroxylation, glucuronidation, sulfation and hydrogenation. We reviewed the published literature and reports to consolidate information available on the biological activity of resveratrol using electronic databases as well as handpicked articles to summarize the biological effects of resveratrol and its clinical benefits against human diseases.

Collected Research on Phytonutrients: Flavonoids

“…Resveratrol is a member of the Stilbene family and can be found in two molecular forms-cis and trans-and can either be present alone or be attached to a glucose molecule (Kalantari & Das, 2010;Shah & Patel, 2010;Tosun & Inkaya, 2010). The phytonutrient is found in grapes, peanuts, peanut products, wine, grape juice, and berries of Vaccinum species, which include blueberries, cranberries, and bilberries (Shah & Patel, 2010;Tosun & Inkaya, 2010).…”

“…Resveratrol may have the ability to open ATP and calcium channels, which would show negative chronotropic and inotropic effects on the heart (Shah & Patel, 2010). The phytonutrient had shown anti-inflammatory functions in the heart and can also protect the heart by inducing anti-apoptotic signals.…”

“…Resveratrol is most commonly found in the skins of grapes and the amount of resveratrol depends upon the geography, type of grape, and the exposure of the grape to fungal infection (Kalantari & Das, 2010;Shah & Patel, 2010;Tosun & Inkaya, 2010). Red wine contains more resveratrol than white wine.…”

“…The phytonutrient had shown anti-inflammatory functions in the heart and can also protect the heart by inducing anti-apoptotic signals. Various study results have suggested that resveratrol inhibits LDL oxidation, reduces myocardial damage, modulates vascular cell function, and can suppress platelet aggression (Shah & Patel, 2010).…”

Development of a Topical Resveratrol Formulation for Commercial Applications Using Dendrimer Nanotechnology

“…Current uses for RSV include treatment for inhibiting cancer, slowing aging, cardio-vascular disease, antiviral treatments, inflammation, platelet aggregation and other applications [ 2 , 5 ]. RSV as an anticancer treatment has been linked with regulatory pathways that have both growth and death attributes [ 5 ]. Additional evidence suggests that RSV helps to maintain genome stability [ 5 ].…”