Resveratrol Resveratrol was first found in 1940 in the roots of a plant called Veratrum grandiflorum. Later on, in 1976, resveratrol was discovered in grapes, and in 1992, resveratrol was also indentified in wine. [13] Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound that may have health benefits on various chronic diseases. [1] It exhibits a wide range of biological effects, including antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimutagenic and antifungal properties. [4] This compound is also believed responsible for some of the beneficial effects of moderate red wine drinking on the cardiovascular system. One liter of red wine contains 1.5-3 mg of resveratrol. Resveratrol also exists in grapes. Resveratrol supplements are popular in the US and other countries. This article reviews resveratrol benefits based on recent research findings and news. ______________________________________________________________________________________
RESVERATROL BENEFITS
[1] Scientific Evidence of Resveratrol Benefits on Arthritis Yucca schidigera Roezl. (Agavaceae) has been traditionally used to treat arthritis and rheumatism. Recently, researchers found the resveratrol is one of the key ingredients of Yucca. [a3]
Arthritis, an inflammation of the joints, is a chronic disease that results from dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1beta) and pro-inflammatory enzymes that mediate the production of prostaglandins (e.g. cyclooxygenase-2) and leukotrienes (e.g. lipooxygenase), together with the expression of adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases, and hyperproliferation of synovial fibroblasts. All of these factors are regulated by the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB. Thus, any agents which can suppress the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, cyclooxygenase-2, lipooxygenase, matrix metalloproteinases or adhesion molecules, or suppress the activation of NF-kappaB, have the potential to cure arthritis. [a6]
COX-1 and COX-2 Oxidative stress is related to a number of autoimmune diseases, including cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. The main source of pathologic “reactive oxygen species” are the activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Resveratrol was found to inhibit isolated polymorphonuclear leukocytes in a dose dependent manner. [a2] Resveratrol is able to inhibit the expression of VEGF, MMP-3, MMP-9 and COX-2 in human articularchondrocytes stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. Resveratrol is also able to suppress apoptosis and inflammatory signaling through its actions on the NF-kappaB pathway in human chondrocytes. [a4] Resveratrol was found to possess COX-1 inhibition, COX-2 inhibitory potential and an LTB 4 formation inhibitory activity in an in vitro study. [a3]
Anabolic Mediator Resveratrol is found to be a potent anabolic mediator of bovine intervertebral disc cartilage homeostasis from a vitro study, revealing its potential as a unique biologic treatment to slow the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration. [a1]
IL-1beta The inflammatory process plays a pivotal role during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, dominated by catabolic processes initiated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta. Resveratrol is able to reverse significantly IL- 1beta-reduced cell proliferation and blocked IL-1beta-stimulated cell membrane bound- and mature IL-1beta synthesis in chondrocytes. Furthermore, resveratrol is able to inhibit the IL-1beta-induced degradation of mitochondria and apoptosis in chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner. Resveratrol is also able to reverse the IL-1beta-induced up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chondrocytes. [a5]
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Resveratrol is found to be a potent inhibitor as the antipyretic-analgetic drug acetaminophen. [a7]
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) / Animal Study Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), is a pivotal transcription factor involved inthe activation of the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta genes. Activation of NF-kappaB insynovial cells is a feature seen in arthritis patients. Resveratrol is potent and specific inhibitor of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta induced NF-kappaB activation. Intra-articular injections of resveratrol on cartilage and synovium could significantly decreased cartilage destruction in an experimental rabbit inflammatory arthritic model. [a8] ________________________________________________________________________________________
Scientific Evidence of Resveratrol Benefits on Cancers As early as 1997, resveratrol was proposed to be used as a cancer-preventive agent. Resveratrol has anti-cancer activities in assays representing three major stages of carcinogenesis. Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit cancer initiation and promotion [2] It acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and regulates proteins involved in DNA synthesis and cell cycle. Resveratrol also affects the activity of transcriptional factors involved in proliferation and stress responses, such as NF-kB, AP1 and Egr1. [3] In a study, gastric adenocarcinoma cells respond to resveratrol treatment with suppression of DNA synthesis, activation of nitric oxide synthase, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of total PKC and PKC alpha activity. [6]
Trans-resveratrol (RSVL; 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene), a natural compound found in grapes, berries, peanuts and red wine exerts certain anticancer roles in different human cancer types. Several epidemiological studies have revealed that resveratrol is probably one of the active ingredients of wine responsible for its health benefits such as prevention of vaso-coronary diseases and cancer. Resveratrol acts on the process of carcinogenesis by affecting the three phases: tumor initiation, promotion and progression phases and suppresses the final steps of carcinogenesis, i.e. angiogenesis and metastasis. It is also able to activate apoptosis, to arrest the cell cycle or to inhibit kinase pathways. [c2] When, resveratrol adds to the growth inhibitory/anticancer activity of cisplatin and doxorubicin in vitro and protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity both in vitro and in mice. [c3]
Test-tube and animal studies have shown resveratrol benefits on different kinds of cancers. Resveratrol has been reported to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and/or activity in endometrial cancer cells, COX-2 is overexpressed and confers cellular resistance to apoptosis. High-doses of resveratrol was found to trigger apoptosis in five out of six uterine cancer cell lines. [c4] Resveratrol exhibited a variety of molecular events in etoposide-based combination therapy in HT-29 colon cancer cells including the activation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase, inhibition of cell growth, induction of apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. [c5] Resveratrol-induced growth inhibition in T47D human breast cancer cells was caused by apoptosis in a cell study. Resveratrol-induced apoptosis is associated with the activation of the p53 in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. [c6] In another study, resveratrol also inhibited growth factor heregulin- beta1 (HRG-beta1)-mediated Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) expression in human breast cancer cells. Resveratrol significantly suppressed HRG-beta1-mediated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and invasion of breast cancer cells. [c8] Transgenic Adenocarcinoma Mouse Prostate males were fed with resveratrol (625 mg resveratrol per kg AIN-76A diet) or phytoestrogen-free, control diet (AIN-76A). Resveratrol in the diet significantly reduced the incidence of poorly differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma by 7.7-fold. [c9] Resveratrol is also a potent inhibitor of A549 lung cancer cell growth based on a microarray gene expression study. [c10]
A phase I study of oral resveratrol (single doses of 0.5, 1, 2.5, or 5 g) was conducted in 10 healthy volunteers per dose level. Resveratrol and six metabolites were recovered from plasma and urine. Peak plasma levels of resveratrol at the highest dose were 539 +/- 384 ng/mL (2.4 micromol/L), which occurred 1.5 h post-dose. Cancer preventive effects of resveratrol in cells in vitro require levels of at least 5 micromol/L. The results suggest that consumption of high-dose resveratrol might still be insufficient to elicit systemic levels commensurate with cancer preventive efficacy. [c7] __________________________________________________________________________________
Potential Resveratrol Benefits On Cardiovascular Diseases Resveratrol is a phytoestrogen, potent antioxidant, reactive oxygen species scavenger and metal chelators. [4] Thus, it may have benefits of protection of the cardiovascular system against ischemic-reperfusion injury; it may also protect and maintain the intact endothelium, exhibits antiatherosclerotic properties inhibits the LDL oxidation, suppress the platelet aggregation and exhibits estrogen like action. [4, 7] ___________________________________________________________________________________
Scientific Evidence for Potential Resveratrol Benefits On Diabetes Resveratrol increased life span in lower organisms by activating the NAD (+)-dependent histone deacetylase Sirt1. Further, resveratrol promoted longevity and improved glucose homeostasis in mice by stimulating the Sirt1- mediated deacetylation of the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1alpha. [d7] It could be beneficial if resveratrol can benefit animals suffered from diabetes.
In 2001, resveratrol (5-35 micromol/l) was found to induce concentration-dependent relaxation of mesenteric arteries preconstricted with noradrenaline (8 micromol/l) or KCl (125 mmol/l) from both lean and dietary-obese rats. [d1 Hyperglycemia, a symptom of diabetes mellitus, induces hyperosmotic responses, including apoptosis, in vascular endothelial cells and leukocytes. Resveratrol was able to attenuate high glucose-induced apoptotic changes by virtue of its antioxidant property. [d2] Diabetic nephropathy is a serious vascular complication and one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease. And, resveratrol significantly attenuated renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. [d3]
Most of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients eventually become insulin dependent because insulin secretion by the islets of Langerhans becomes exhausted. Resveratrol shows hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. In resveratrol-treated diabetic rats, the plasma glucose concentration on day 14 was reduced by 25.3%, and the triglyceride concentration was reduced by 50.2% compared with the placebo- treated rats. Resveratrol administration ameliorates common DM symptoms, such as body weight loss, polyphagia, and polydipsia. In STZ-nicotinamide DM rats, resveratrol administration significantly decreased insulin secretion and delayed the onset of insulin resistance. [d4]
Usually, diabetic rats exhibited a significant thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia along with increased plasma glucose and decreased body weights. Allodynia means other pain. It is a painful response to a usually non-painful stimulus. In a study, treatment with resveratrol (10mg/kg orally) from week 4 to week 6 significantly attenuated the cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, suggesting the application of resveratrol in diabetes, especially for diabetic neuropathy. [d5]
Inactivation of hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase was a key event in the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia in diabetes (based on a study of in type 1 diabetic LDL receptor-deficient mice). Resveratrol could lower lipid levels by activating AMP-activated protein kinase. It was about 200 times the potency of Metformin! [d6]
Other studies supporting resveratrol benefits on diabetic animals Treatment with resveratrol prevented the increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and consequently memory impairment in diabetic rats. [d8]
Daily oral treatment of resveratrol to diabetic rats for 30 days demonstrated a significant decline in blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels and a significant increase in plasma insulin level. The administration of resveratrol also reverted the altered activities of the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats to near normal levels. [d9]
Resveratrol increased mitochondrial mass and mtDNA content, up-regulated protein expression of electron transport chain constituents and induced mitochondrial biogenesis factors (PGC-1alpha, Nrf-1, Tfam) in cultured human coronary arterial endothelial cells. Resveratrol treatment normalized impaired mitochondrial biogenesis in aortas of type 2 diabetic mice. This suggests the potential benefits of resveratrol on diabetes or metabolic diseases. [d10]
Resveratrol could inhibit the formation of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) fibril. Following preferential partitioning of IAPP into the fluid lipid phase, the membrane of beta-cells suffered irreversible damage and predominantly circularly-shaped lipid-containing IAPP amyloid was formed. Deposition of amyloid in the extracellular matrix of beta- cells commonly occurs in type II diabetes mellitus. Thus, resveratrol may benefit animals suffered from diabetes. [d11]
Resveratrol and cobalt protoporphyrin administration increased heme oxygenase-1 protein expression and heme oxygenase activity in the aorta and significantly increased serum adiponectin levels, compared to untreated diabetic rats. Increased heme oxygenase-1 expression usually improves vascular function. [d12]
Resveratrol decreased blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood urea, serum uric acid, serum creatinine and diminished activities of pathophysiological enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in diabetic rats after 30 days of treatment. [d13]
The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is high.nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is linked to obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertriglyceridemia. Approximately 20% of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease will eventually develop cirrhosis. Resveratrol was found to decrease nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity in rats. This effect was mediated, at least in part, by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibition and antioxidant activities. [d14] _________________________________________________________________________________
Scientific Evidence of Resveratrol benefits on fatty liver / liver protection, pancreatitiis, liver transplant, kidney diseases and sperm production
The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is high.nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is linked to obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertriglyceridemia. Approximately 20% of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease will eventually develop cirrhosis. Resveratrol was found to decrease nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity in rats. This effect was mediated, at least in part, by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibition and antioxidant activities.
Oral administration of resveratrol (20 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks) also remarkably prevented the DMN-induced loss in body and liver weight, and inhibited the elevation of serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. [LP1]
Because microcirculation occlusion and cytokines over-production is involved in many diseases such as acute pancreatitis, resveratrol as a platelet and cytokines inhibitor may have benefits on acute pancreatitis. [5]
Resveratrol has been shown to have an immuno-suppressive property as well as protective effect on hepatocytes under allograft rejection in a study of Wistar rats. [11]
Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to reduce ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of rat kidney both by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. [10]
In a study, researchers administered dosage of 20 mg/(kg . d) of trans-resveratrol for 90 days. Compared to a control group, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules was significantly reduced from 437.5 +/- 0.1 mum in the controls to 310.9 +/- 0.1 mum. This decrease was accompanied by a significant increase in tubular density. Sperm counts were significantly greater in the resveratrol-treated rats than in the control group, but sperm quality did not differ. [9] _________________________________________________________________________________
Resveratrol weight loss A lot of articles suggest resveratrol may help weight loss? Read: resveratrol weight loss. _________________________________________________________________________________
RESVERATROL SIDE EFFECTS Resveratrol may be SAFE for a healthy person when used in the amounts found in foods. But there are potential side effects if resveratrol is taken in larger amounts. Please click: resveratrol side effects
Different people may experience different side effects and benefits of a product. You are encouraged to report adverse side effects to FDA, its website is www.fda.gov., or report the adverse side effects to the manufacturer, you should be able to find the contact information on the label.
There are always new information. Please, send me an email (zhion@zhion.com) to correct my mistake(s). Reasonable care has been taken in preparing this document and the information provided herein is believed to be accurate. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is important to seek the advice of a physician about any medical condition or symptom or the benefits and side effects of a supplement or a drug product. Finally, please, do not transfer the article to other website. Thank you. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.