Resveratrol

Resveratrol
Chemical structures of cis- ((Z)-resveratrol, left) and trans-resveratrol ((E)-resveratrol, right)[1]
Other names trans-3,5,4'-Trihydroxystilbene; 3,4',5-Stilbenetriol; trans-Resveratrol; (E)-5-(p-Hydroxystyryl)resorcinol; (E)-5-(4-hydroxystyryl)benzene-1,3-diol
Identifiers
CAS number	501-36-0 Y
PubChem	445154
ChemSpider	392875 Y
UNII	Q369O8926L Y
DrugBank	DB02709
KEGG	C03582 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:45713 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL165 Y
RTECS number	CZ8987000
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES Oc2ccc(C=Cc1cc(O)cc(O)c1)cc2
InChI InChI=1S/C14H12O3/c15-12-5-3-10(4-6-12)1-2-11-7-13(16)9-14(17)8-11/h1-9,15-17H/b2-1+ Y Key: LUKBXSAWLPMMSZ-OWOJBTEDSA-N Y InChI=1/C14H12O3/c15- 12-5-3-10(4-6-12) 1-2-11-7-13(16)9- 14(17)8-11/h1-9,15- 17H/b2-1+
Properties
Molecular formula	C14H12O3
Molar mass	228.24 g mol−1
Appearance	white powder with slight yellow cast
Melting point	261 - 263°C / 501.8 - 505.4°F[2]
Solubility in water	0.03 g/L
Solubility in DMSO	16 g/L
Solubility in ethanol	50 g/L
λmax	304nm (trans-resveratrol, in water) 286nm (cis-resveratrol, in water)[1]
Hazards
MSDS	Fisher Scientific[2] Sigma Aldrich[3]
R-phrases	R36 (irritating to eyes)[3]
S-phrases	S26 (in case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice)[3]
LD50	23.2 µM (5,29 g)[4]
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol, and a phytoalexin produced naturally by several plants – especially the roots of the Japanese Knotweed, from which it is extracted commercially – when under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi.

The effects of resveratrol are currently a topic of numerous animal and human studies. The mainstream press wrote about resveratrol's anti-aging effects,^[5] but now, as of 19 December 2013 there are accepted data to form a scientific basis for the application of these claims to mammals.^[6]

A series of early reports found that it increased the lifespan of model organisms. Several scientists involved in these studies went on to found Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, a company working to develop resveratrol analogs as proprietary drugs. However subsequent independent research has failed to replicate these results.^[7][8][9] In mouse and rat experiments, telomere lengthening, telomerase activity enhancement, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-lowering and other beneficial cardiovascular effects of resveratrol have been reported; however, in every experiment to date, resveratrol has failed to extend the lifespan of lean, genetically normal mice^[10][11][12] or rats.^[13]

Limited human clinical trials have been completed. While the reported effects are often positive, resveratrol may have lesser benefits in humans.^[14] At present, research on resveratrol is still in its infancy and the long-term effects of supplementation in humans are not known.^[15][16]

Natural occurrence

Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes and in other fruits as well as in the roots of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum). Red wine contains on the order of 0.1-14.3 mg/l.^[17] Resveratrol also has been produced by chemical synthesis ^[18] and by biotechnological synthesis (metabolic engineered microorganisms),^[19][20] and it is sold as a nutritional supplement derived primarily from Japanese knotweed.^{[citation needed]}

Resveratrol is also found in Gnetum cleistostachyum.^[21]

Discovery and name

The first mention of resveratrol was in a Japanese article in 1939 by Michio Takaoka, who isolated it from the poisonous, but medicinal, Veratrum album, variety grandiflorum.^[22] The name presumably comes from the fact that it is a resorcinol derivative coming from a Veratrum species.^[23]

Scientific studies

Life extension

The groups of Howitz and David Sinclair (founder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals) reported in 2003 that resveratrol significantly extends the lifespan of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.^[24] Sinclair later reported that resveratrol also prolongs the lifespan of the worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, and the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.^[25] In 2007, a different group of researchers were able to reproduce Sinclair's results with C. elegans,^[26] but other groups could not achieve consistent increases in lifespan of D. melanogaster, other flies, or C. elegans.^[7][8][9]

First demonstration of life extension by resveratrol supplementation in a vertebrate was obtained in 2006. In a short-lived fish, Nothobranchius furzeri, with a median life span of nine weeks, a maximal dose of resveratrol increased the median lifespan by 56%. Compared to control fish at nine weeks, the fish supplemented with resveratrol showed significantly higher swimming activity and better learning to avoid an unpleasant stimulus. A slight increase of lifespan in young fish was caused by resveratrol, and it was hypothesized that its weak toxic action stimulated the defense mechanisms and resulted in the lifespan extension.^[27]

Later the same year, Sinclair reported that resveratrol counteracted the detrimental effects of a high-fat diet in mice. The high-fat diet was compounded by adding hydrogenated coconut oil to the standard diet; it provided 60% of energy from fat, and the mice on it consumed about 30% more calories than the mice on standard diet and became obese and diabetic. Mice on the high-fat diet exhibited a high mortality rate compared to mice fed the standard diet; mice fed the high-fat diet plus 22 mg/kg resveratrol had a 30% lower risk of death than the mice on the high-fat diet alone, making their death rates similar to those on the standard diet. The supplement also partially corrected a subset of the abnormal gene expression profile and abnormal insulin and glucose metabolism. Resveratrol supplements did not change the levels of free fatty acids and cholesterol, however, which were much higher than in the mice on standard diet.^[28]

Sinclair later reported that resveratrol treatment had a range of beneficial effects, but did not increase the longevity of nonobese, ad libitum–fed (freely-feeding) mice when started midlife.^[10] Later, the National Institute on Aging's Interventions Testing Program (ITP) ^[29] also tested three different doses of resveratrol in mice on a normal diet beginning in young adulthood, and again found no effect on lifespan, even at doses roughly eight times higher than those that had normalized the lifespan of the high-fat-fed, obese mice in the earlier study.^[11] In a later study, the ITP also found that resveratrol still did not extend lifespan when it was administered starting in young adulthood.^[12] It also does not extend the lifespan of rats.^[13]

Exercise and metabolism

Johan Auwerx in 2006 demonstrated that mice fed resveratrol have better treadmill endurance than controls. These results supported Sinclair's hypothesis that the effects of resveratrol are indeed due to the activation of the Sirtuin 1 gene.^[30] The dose was 400 mg/kg of body weight (much higher than the 22 mg/kg of the Sinclair study). For an 80 kg (175 lb) person, the 400 mg/kg of body weight amount used in Auwerx's mouse study would total 30,000 mg/day. Compensating for the fact that humans have slower metabolic rates than mice would change the equivalent human dose to roughly 4000 mg/day.^[31]

In a study of 123 Finnish adults, those born with certain increased variations of the SIRT1 gene had faster metabolisms, helping them to burn more energy, indicating the same pathway shown in the laboratory mice works in humans.^[30] A later short-term study from Auwerx's laboratory in obese humans (similar to the obese mice in Auwerx's 2006 study) also found that resveratrol supplementation activated SIRT1 in this population.^[32]

However, a subsequent study found that resveratrol supplementation actually interfered with the beneficial effects of exercise in humans: when two groups of older men were put on an exercise regimen, those that received resveratrol supplements enjoyed less reduction in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and less reduction in mean arterial (blood) pressure than people who received a placebo, and people who exercised and received the placebo also enjoyed reductions in plasma triglycerides, while those who took resveratrol did not, despite the exercise. Resveratrol users may also possibly have gotten less gain in other factors where there were nominal differences in the results that did not reach statistical significance.^[33]

Cancer prevention

In 1997, Jang reported that topical resveratrol applications prevented skin cancer development in mice treated with a carcinogen.^[34] There have since been many studies of the anti-cancer activity of resveratrol in animal models.^[17] Resveratrol (1 mg/kg orally) reduced the number and size of the esophageal tumors in rats treated with a carcinogen;^[35] and in several studies, small doses (0.02–8 mg/kg) of resveratrol, given prophylactically, reduced or prevented the development of intestinal and colon tumors in rats given different carcinogens.^[36] Similarly, topical application of resveratrol in mice, both before and after the UVB exposure, inhibited the skin damage and decreased skin cancer incidence, however, oral resveratrol was ineffective in treating mice inoculated with melanoma cells. Resveratrol given orally also had no effect on leukemia and lung cancer;^[36][37] however, injected intraperitoneally, 2.5 or 10 mg/kg of resveratrol slowed the growth of metastatic Lewis lung carcinomas in mice.^[36][38]

Resveratrol treatment appeared to prevent the development of mammary tumors in animal models; however, it had no effect on the growth of existing tumors. Paradoxically, treatment of prepubertal mice with high doses of resveratrol enhanced formation of tumors. Injected in high doses into mice, resveratrol slowed the growth of neuroblastomas.^[36]

All of the aforementioned in vivo studies have been in animal models in which the cancer has been artificially induced by some experimental means. Three other studies have investigated the effect of resveratrol on the risk of cancer in normal mice living out a normal lifespan; all of them have found resveratrol supplementation has no significant effect on the burden of tumors, nor on the rate of cancer death.^[10][11][39]

As of 2007, no results of human clinical trials for cancer had been reported.^[36] Clinical trials to investigate the effects on colon cancer and melanoma (skin cancer) are currently recruiting patients.^[40] The study of pharmacokinetics of resveratrol in humans concluded, however, that even high doses of resveratrol might be insufficient to achieve the resveratrol concentrations required for the systemic prevention of cancer.^[41]

This is consistent with the results from the animal cancer models, which indicate the in vivo effectiveness of resveratrol is limited by its poor systemic bioavailability.^[42][43] The strongest evidence of anticancer action of resveratrol exists for tumors it can contact directly, such as skin and gastrointestinal tract tumors. For other cancers, the evidence is uncertain, even if massive doses of resveratrol are used.^[36]

Cardioprotective effects

Moderate drinking of red wine has long been known to reduce the risk of heart disease.^[44] This is best known as "the French paradox".^[45][46][47]

Studies suggest resveratrol in red wine may play an important role in this phenomenon.^[48] It achieves the effects by the following functions: (1) inhibition of vascular cell adhesion molecule expression;^[49][50] (2) inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation;^{[51][52][53][54]} (3) stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity;^[55][56][57] (4) inhibition of platelet aggregation;^{[58][59][60][61]} and (5) inhibition of LDL peroxidation.^[62][63]

The cardioprotective effects of resveratrol also are theorized to be a form of preconditioning—the best method of cardioprotection, rather than direct therapy.^[64] Study into the cardioprotective effects of resveratrol is based on the research of Dipak K. Das. However, he has been found guilty of scientific fraud, and many of his publications related to resveratrol have been retracted.^[65][66] A 2011 study concludes, "Our data demonstrate that both melatonin and resveratrol, as found in red wine, protect the heart in an experimental model of myocardial infarction via the SAFE pathway."^[67]

Antidiabetic effects

Studies have shown resveratrol possesses hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in both streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes rats and STZ-nicotinamide-induced diabetes rats. Resveratrol ameliorates common diabetes symptoms, such as polyphagia, polydipsia, and body weight loss.^[68] Other diabetic animal model studies by different researchers have also demonstrated the antidiabetic effects of resveratrol.^{[28][30][69][70][71][72][73]}

A press release from Sirtris Pharmaceuticals claimed that resveratrol lowered blood sugar levels in both Phase Ib and Phase IIa clinical trials.^[74][75] This 28-day Phase 1b study was conducted privately in India with Sirtris as the sponsor, and was announced at an investor conference in 2008.^[76] Although it has been alluded to in review articles (e.g.^[77]), the study has never been published in a peer-reviewed scientific publication.

Subsequently, it was reported that high-dose resveratrol did improve insulin sensitivity and postmeal plasma glucose in older, overweight and obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.^[78] On the other hand, resveratrol had no effects on plasma lipids, inflammatory markers, insulin sensitivity, or plasma glucose.^[79]

Skin protection

The oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet radiation is one of the main causes for premature skin ageing. The photoprotective effects of several polyphenols known for their antioxidant properties, including resveratrol, have been investigated in silico and in topical application conditions.^[80][81]

In cell culture experiment, pretreatment of UVB-induced keratinocytes with resveratrol inhibited activation of NF-κB pathway and increased cell survival, with a parallel reduction of reactive oxygen species.^[82][83]

In several experiments on hairless mice, topical application of resveratrol significantly inhibited UVB-induced effects including skin hyperplasia, hydrogen peroxide generation, leucocytes infiltration and phosphorylation of survivin.^[84][85][86]

A recent study^[87] conducted on human keratinocyte cell cultures also demonstrated the photoprotective effects of resveratrol against UVA radiation. The results suggest that resveratrol acts on the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, wich is the major regulator of cytoprotective responses to oxidative stress. Resveratrol can degrade Keap1 protein, increase the Nrf2 level and facilitate Nrf2 accumulation in the nucleus, thereby protecting HaCaT cells from UVA-induced oxidative stress.

In 2013, a study designed to investigate the effects of resveratrate, a stable derivative of resveratrol, in human skin irradiated with acute UVA-UVB combination^[88] reported several photoprotective effects. Resveratrate significantly attenuated tanning and erythema developments, sunburn damages and sunburn cell formation (i.e. apoptotic keratinocytes) in human skin in vivo. Resveratrate also inhibited the increase of the menalin content in the epidermis. This result was equivalent to an anti-oxydant formulation but resveratrate may inhibit the suntan at multiple points, whereas anti-oxydants may not.

Premature skin ageing from UV radiation results in damages to dermal connective tissues, which mainly contains collagen, thereby causing wrinkle formation. Another recent study.^[89] demonstrated that resveratrol and metformin significantly inhibited the expression of matrix metallopeptidase 9 and protected collagen from degradation after UV radiation, through the activation of SirT1.

3H-resveratrol binding sites have been found in human epidermis. In human keratinocyte cell cultures, their activation reduced cell death caused by exposure to nitric oxyde free radical donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and by the release of nitric oxyde.^[90] The authors concluded that the protective action of resveratrol may likely to be due to an anti-apoptotic effect, since at the same concentration level, resveratrol reduced the number of apoptotic cells as well as apoptotic events launched by SNP.

More and more companies are developing and selling products containing resveratrol, for nutritional or topic use, to protect and help skin fight against the signs of ageing skin. Human clinical trials, when available, seems to confirm the anti-ageing effects of resveratrol in skin. In a trial, patients using Caudalie products containing resveratrol experienced a 24% reduction in deep wrinkles reduction after 28 days.^[91]

Other applications

Neuroprotective effects

In isolated cell culture systems, resveratrol treatment reduces accumulation of beta-amyloid, a main culprit in Alzheimer's disease.^[92] Dietary supplementation with resveratrol also significantly reduced plaque formation in the brains of animals with mutations that cause them to produce large amounts of beta-amyloid.^[93] Researchers speculate that one possible mechanism is the ability of resveratrol to chelate (bind) copper.^[93] Other studies have proposed that the inhibitor effect of resveratrol on amyloid plaque formation is mediated by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase.^[94] The neuroprotective effects have been confirmed in several animal model studies.^{[95][96][97][98][99]} These effects may be in part caused by its effects as a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA). A large, multicenter clinical trial of resveratrol versus placebo for adults diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease is currently underway, led by researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center.^[100]

Anti-inflammatory effects

The anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol have been demonstrated in several animal model studies. In a rat model of carrageenan-induced paw edema, resveratrol inhibited both acute and chronic phases of the inflammatory process.^[101] Similarly, preincubation with resveratrol decreased arachidonic acid release and COX-2 induction in mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with tumor promoter PMA, ROI, or lipopolysaccharides (LPS).^[102] In an experimental rabbit inflammatory arthritis model, resveratrol showed promise as a potential therapy for arthritis. When administered to rabbits with induced inflammatory arthritis, resveratrol protected cartilage against the progression of inflammatory arthritis.^[103]

Antiviral effects

Resveratrol inhibits herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 replication by inhibition of an early step in the virus replication cycle. In vivo studies in mice found resveratrol inhibits or reduces HSV replication in the vagina and limits extravaginal disease. The skin of resveratrol-treated animals showed no apparent dermal toxicity, such as erythema, scaling, crusting, lichenification, or excoriation.^{[104][105][106]} Studies also show resveratrol inhibits varicella-zoster virus, certain influenza viruses, respiratory viruses, and human cytomegalovirus. Furthermore, resveratrol synergistically enhances the anti-HIV-1 activity of several anti-HIV drugs.^{[107][108][109][110][111][112]}

Effect on testosterone levels

Trans-resveratrol supplementation increased testosterone levels in mice in vivo,^[113] which has led to its marketing as a bodybuilding supplement. The antioxidant resveratrol also increases sperm production in rats.^[114]

Selective and reversible MAO-A inhibiting effects (RIMA)

Resveratrol has been found to be a potent and highly selective reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) (RIMA) with an IC₅₀ of 2.0μM and a K_i value of 2.5μM in rat brains. This effect is expected to be related to its potent antioxidant activity.^[115]

Opioid tolerance reduction

Injection of resveratrol into the spinal column was found to alleviate tolerance to opioids in rats subjected to long-term opioid exposure via a catheter. The effect seems to involve a reversal of the tolerance-associated increase in expression of receptors for the neurotransmitter N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), and blockage of a tolerance-associated increase of inflammation-promoting signaling substances, called cytokines.^[116]

Sirtuin activation

Some of the benefits demonstrated in previous studies were overstated,^[117][118] however, this study was challenged immediately,^[119] and a few experiments were suggested to be of inferior quality.^[120]

There is an explicit link between resveratrol and sirtuins; specifically that SIRT1 could be directly activated through an allosteric mechanism common to chemically diverse STACs, including resveratrol—in other words, that an anti-aging protein in humans could be activated by resveratrol, at least in vitro and under certain experimental conditions.^[121]

Pharmacokinetics

One way of administering resveratrol in humans may be buccal delivery, that is without swallowing, by direct absorption through tissues on the inside of the mouth. When one milligram of resveratrol in 50 ml 50% alcohol/ water solution was retained in the mouth for one minute before swallowing, 37 ng/ml of free resveratrol were measured in plasma two minutes later. This level of unchanged resveratrol in blood can only be achieved with 250 mg of resveratrol taken in a pill form.^[122] However, the viability of a buccal delivery method is called into question due to the low aqueous solubility of the molecule. For a drug to be absorbed transmucosally it must be in free-form or dissolved.^[123][124] Resveratrol fits the criteria for oral transmucosal dosing, except for this caveat. The low aqueous solubility greatly limits the amount that can be absorbed through the buccal mucosa, which is why the method has not been explored further. All resveratrol that is attempted to be taken buccally will fail to pass through the mucous membrane of the mouth and be absorbed as an oral dose,^[125] however, a need to explore buccal delivery in future pharmaceutical formulations has been expressed.^[124][126]

While 70% of orally administered resveratrol is absorbed its oral bioavailability is approximately 1% due to extensive hepatic gluconuridation and sulfation.^[127] Only trace amounts (below 5 ng/ml) of unchanged resveratrol could be detected in the blood after 25 mg oral dose.^[127] Even when a very large dose (2.5 and 5 g) was given as an uncoated pill, the concentration of resveratrol in blood failed to reach the level claimed to be necessary for the systemic cancer prevention.^[41] A formulation of resveratrol in a chewing gum form is now in production, and this would be expected to achieve much higher blood levels than oral formulations. Resveratrol given in a proprietary formulation SRT-501 (3 or 5 g), developed by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, reached five to eight times higher blood levels. These levels did approach the concentration necessary to exert the effects shown in animal models and in vitro experiments.^[77] On May 5, 2010, however, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) said it had suspended a small clinical trial of SRT501, a proprietary form of resveratrol, due to safety concerns, and terminated the study on December 2, 2010.^[128] Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, which U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline bought for $720 million in 2008, was developing the drug. GlaxoSmithKline is now focusing its efforts on more potent and selective SIRT1 activators—SRT2104 and SRT2379—both of which are involved in several exploratory clinical trials.^{[citation needed]}

Full formal pharmacokinetics of oral resveratrol 2000 mg twice daily in humans, studying interaction with concurrent ethanol, quercetin, and fat meal has been published.^[129] Mean peak serum resveratrol concentration was 1274 ng/ml at steady-state, which was reduced 46% by a fat meal at dosing. There was no effect of concurrent oral quercetin or ethanol. Healthy volunteers had frequently reported minor diarrhea, and laboratory measures identified slight changes in liver function tests and in serum potassium. No adverse effect on renal function was identified, although only eight healthy adults were observed in the two-week study.

In humans and rats less than 5% of the oral dose was observed as free resveratrol in blood plasma.^{[41][43][127][130][131]} The most abundant resveratrol metabolites in humans, rats, and mice are trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide and trans-resveratrol-3-sulfate.^[132] Walle suggests sulfate conjugates are the primary source of activity,^[127] Wang et al. suggests the glucuronides,^[133] and Boocock et al. also emphasized the need for further study of the effects of the metabolites, including the possibility of deconjugation to free resveratrol inside cells. Goldberd, who studied the pharmacokinetics of resveratrol, catechin and quercetin in humans, concluded "it seems that the potential health benefits of these compounds based upon the in vitro activities of the unconjugated compounds are unrealistic and have been greatly exaggerated. Indeed, the profusion of papers describing such activities can legitimately be described as irrelevant and misleading. Henceforth, investigations of this nature should focus upon the potential health benefits of their glucuronide and sulfate conjugates."^[134]

The hypothesis that resveratrol from wine could have higher bioavailability than resveratrol from a pill ^[17][135] has been refuted by experimental data.^[134][136] For example, after five men took 600 ml of red wine with the resveratrol content of 3.2 mg/l (total dose about 2 mg) before breakfast, unchanged resveratrol was detected in the blood of only two of them, and only in trace amounts (below 2.5 ng/ml). Resveratrol levels appeared to be slightly higher if red wine (600 ml of red wine containing 0.6 mg/ml resveratrol; total dose about 0.5 mg) was taken with a meal: trace amounts (1–6 ng/ml) were found in four out of ten subjects.^[136] In another study, the pharmacokinetics of resveratrol (25 mg) did not change whether it was taken with vegetable juice, white wine, or white grape juice. The highest level of unchanged resveratrol in the serum (7–9 ng/ml) was achieved after 30 minutes, and it completely disappeared from blood after four hours.^[134] The authors of both studies concluded the trace amounts of resveratrol reached in the blood are insufficient to explain the French paradox. The beneficial effects of wine apparently could be explained by the effects of alcohol ^[134] or the whole complex of substances wine contains;^[136] for example, the cardiovascular benefits of wine appear to correlate with the content of procyanidins.^[137]

Adverse effects

Long-term effects of using resveratrol are currently unknown.^[15] One study has theorized it may stimulate the growth of human breast cancer cells, possibly because of resveratrol's chemical structure, which is similar to a phytoestrogen.^[16][138] Other studies have found resveratrol intake is inversely associated with breast cancer risk, however, and acts to slow the progression of breast cancer that has been transplanted into mice.^[139][140] Some studies suggest resveratrol slows the development of blood vessels, which suppresses tumors, but also slows healing.^[141] Citing the evidence that resveratrol is estrogen antagonistic, some retailers of resveratrol advise that the compound may interfere with oral contraceptives and that women who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant should not use the product, while others advise that resveratrol should not be taken by children or young adults under eighteen, as no studies have shown how it affects their natural development. A small study found a single dose of up to 5 g of trans-resveratrol caused no serious adverse effects in healthy volunteers.^[41]

Potential carcinogenicity

Resveratrol in common with other polyphenols, was found to be a strong topoisomerase inhibitor, sharing similarities to chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs, such as etoposide and doxorubicin.^[142][143] This may simultaneously contribute to both the potential anticarcinogenic and carcinogenic properties of the substance in given circumstances. Harmful properties of resveratrol may be pronounced in the human fetus, as it has diminished detoxification systems. Therefore, resveratrol as commonly sold combined with other "bioflavonoids", should not be used by pregnant women.^[144]

Mechanisms of action

The mechanisms of resveratrol's apparent effects on life extension are not fully understood, but they appear to mimic several of the biochemical effects of calorie restriction. Some studies indicates resveratrol activates Sirtuin 1^[145] and PGC-1α and improves the functioning of the mitochondria.^[30] Other research calls into question the theory connecting resveratrol, SIRT1, and calorie restriction.^[8][146] In addition resveratrol's ability to directly activate sirtuin 1 has been called into question.^{[8][147][148]}

In cells treated with resveratrol, a fourteen-fold increase in the action of MnSOD (SOD2) is observed.^[149] MnSOD reduces superoxide to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), but H₂O₂ is not increased due to other cellular activity. Superoxide O₂⁻ is a byproduct of respiration in complexes 1 and 3 of the electron transport chain. It is "not highly toxic, [but] can extract an electron from biological membrane and other cell components, causing free radical chain reactions. Therefore it is essential for the cell to keep superoxide anions in check."^[150] MnSOD reduces superoxide and thereby, confers resistance to mitochondrial dysfunction, permeability transition, and apoptotic death in various diseases.^[151] It has been implicated in lifespan extension, inhibits cancer, (e.g. pancreatic cancer) ^[152][153] and provides resistance to reperfusion injury and irradiation damage.^{[154][155][156]} These effects have also been observed with resveratrol. Robb et al. propose MnSOD is increased by the pathway RESV → SIRT1 / NAD+ → FOXO3a → MnSOD. Resveratrol has been shown to cause SIRT1 to cause migration of FOXO transcription factors to the nucleus,^[157] which stimulates FOXO3a transcriptional activity ^[158] and it has been shown to enhance the sirtuin-catalyzed deacetylation (activity) of FOXO3a. MnSOD is known to be a target of FOXO3a, and MnSOD expression is strongly induced in cells overexpressing FOXO3a.^[159] It has been reported too that the disproportional up-regulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalse (CAT) and glutathion peroxidase (GPX) expression (high expression of MnSOD, but mild change in CAT or GPX) and their enzymatic activity in cancer cells results in the mitochondrial accumulation of H2O2, which in turn induces cancer cell apoptosis.^[160]

Resveratrol interferes with all three stages of carcinogenesis—initiation, promotion and progression. Experiments in cell cultures of varied types and isolated subcellular systems in vitro imply many mechanisms in the pharmacological activity of resveratrol. These mechanisms include modulation of the transcription factor NF-κB,^[161] inhibition of the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP1A1^[162] (although this may not be relevant to the CYP1A1-mediated bioactivation of the procarcinogen benzo(a)pyrene),^[163] alterations in androgenic ^[164] actions, and expression and activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. In vitro, resveratrol "inhibited the proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cell lines." In some lineages of cancer cell culture, resveratrol has been shown to induce apoptosis, which means it kills cells and may kill cancer cells.^{[164][165][166][167][168][169]} Resveratrol has been shown to induce Fas/Fas ligand mediated apoptosis, p53 and cyclins A, B1, and cyclin-dependent kinases cdk 1 and 2. Resveratrol also possesses antioxidant and anti-angiogenic properties.^{[141][170][171]}

Resveratrol was reported to be effective against neuronal cell dysfunction and cell death, and, in theory, could be effective against diseases such as Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease.^[92][172] Again, this has not yet been tested in humans for any disease.

Resveratrol has direct inhibitory action on cardiac fibroblasts, and may inhibit the progression of cardiac fibrosis.^[173]

Resveratrol also significantly increases natural testosterone production from being both a selective estrogen receptor modulator ^[114][174] and an aromatase inhibitor.^[175]

Resveratrol increased intracellular glutathione levels via Nrf2-dependent upregulation of gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase in lung epithelial cells, which protected them against cigarette smoke extract-induced oxidative stress.^[176]

Another potentially important mechanism common to both resveratrol supplementation and caloric restriction is the modulation of autophagy.^[177] SIRT1 is a hypothesized target of both resveratrol and caloric restriction, and has been shown to facilitate autophagy through the inhibition of mTOR, which itself negatively regulates autophagy.^[178]

In 2012, it was shown that resveratrol is capable of competitively inhibiting various phosphodiesterases, which results in an increase in cytosolic concentration of cAMP, which acts as a second messenger for the activation of the pathway Epac1/CaMKKβ/AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α. This rise of cAMP concentration allows an increase in oxidation of fatty acids, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial respiration, and gluconeogenesis.^[179][180]

Resveratrol is one of the compounds that may prevent negative effects of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), at least in vitro.^[181]

Chemical and physical properties

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a stilbenoid, a derivate of stilbene.

It exists as two geometric isomers: cis- (Z) and trans- (E), with the trans-isomer shown in the top image. The trans- and cis-resveratrol can be either free or bound to glucose.^[182]

The trans- form can undergo isomerisation to the cis- form when exposed to ultraviolet irradiation,^[183] a process called photoisomerization:^[184]

Recently, it is noted that ultraviolet irradiation to cis-resveratrol induces further photochemical reaction, produces a fluorescent molecule named "Resveratrone".^[185]

Trans-resveratrol in the powder form was found to be stable under "accelerated stability" conditions of 75% humidity and 40 °C in the presence of air.^[186] Resveratrol content also was stable in the skins of grapes and pomace taken after fermentation and stored for a long period.^{[187] l}H- and ¹³C-NMR data for the four most common forms of resveratrols are reported in literature.^[182]

Metabolism

Resveratrol gets extensively metabolized in the body. Liver and gut are the major site of its metabolism. Lungs are also involved in its metabolism, with inter-species difference in its pulmonary metabolism.^[188]

Biosynthesis

Resveratrol is produced in plants with the help of the enzyme, resveratrol synthase.^[189]

Biotransformation

The grapevine fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea is able to oxidise resveratrol into metabolites showing attenuated antifungal activities. Those include the resveratrol dimers restrytisol A, B, and C, resveratrol trans-dehydrodimer, leachinol F, and pallidol.^[190] The soil bacterium Bacillus cereus can be used to transform resveratrol into piceid (resveratrol 3-O-beta-D-glucoside).^[191]

Occurrences

In plants

Resveratrol was originally isolated by Takaoka from the roots of hellebore in 1940, and later, in 1963, from the roots of Japanese knotweed. It attracted wider attention only in 1992, however, when its presence in wine was suggested as the explanation for cardioprotective effects of wine.^[17]

In grapes, trans-resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced against the growth of fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea.^[192] Its presence in Vitis vinifera grapes can also be constitutive, with accumulation in ripe berries of different levels of bound and free resveratrols, according to the genotype.^[193] In grapes, resveratrol is found primarily in the skin,^[194] and, in muscadine grapes, also in the seeds.^[195] The amount found in grape skins also varies with the grape cultivar, its geographic origin, and exposure to fungal infection. The amount of fermentation time a wine spends in contact with grape skins is an important determinant of its resveratrol content.^[182][194]

It is also found in Pinus strobus, the eastern white pine.

In foods

The levels of resveratrol found in food varies greatly. Red wine contains between 0.2 and 5.8 mg/l,^[196] depending on the grape variety, while white wine has much less, because red wine is fermented with the skins, allowing the wine to extract the resveratrol, whereas white wine is fermented after the skin has been removed.^[194][197] The composition of wine is different from that of grapes since the extraction of resveratrols from grapes depends on the duration of the skin contact, and the resveratrol 3-glucosides are in part hydrolised, yielding both trans- and cis-resveratrol.^[182] A number of reports have indicated muscadine grapes may contain high concentrations of resveratrol, and that wines produced from these grapes, both red and white, may contain more than 40 mg/l,^[195][198] however, subsequent studies have found little or no resveratrol in different varieties of muscadine grapes.^[199][200]

One of the most promising sources is peanuts, especially sprouted peanuts where the content rivals that in grapes. Before sprouting, it was in the range of 2.3 to 4.5 μg/g, and after sprouting, in the range of 11.7 to 25.7 μg/g depending upon peanut cultivar.^[201]

The fruit of the mulberry (esp. the skin)^[202] is a source, and is sold as a nutritional supplement.

Cocoa powder, baking chocolate, and dark chocolate also have low levels of resveratrol in normal consumption quantities (0.35 to 1.85 mg/kg).^[203]

Content in wines and grape juice

Beverage	Total resveratrol (mg/l)[194][195]	Total resveratrol (mg/150ml)[194][195]
Red wine (global)	1.98 – 7.13	0.30 – 1.07
Red wine (Spanish)	1.92 – 12.59	0.29 – 1.89
Red grape juice (Spanish)	1.14 – 8.69	0.17 – 1.30
Rose wine (Spanish)	0.43 – 3.52	0.06 – 0.53
Pinot noir	0.40 – 2.0	0.06 – 0.30
White wine (Spanish)	0.05 – 1.80	0.01 – 0.27

The trans-resveratrol concentration in 40 Tuscan wines ranged from 0.3 to 2.1 mg/l in the 32 red wines tested and had a maximum of 0.1 mg/l in the 8 white wines in the test. Both the cis- and trans-isomers of resveratrol were detected in all tested samples. cis-resveratrol levels were comparable to those of the trans-isomer. They ranged from 0.5 mg/l to 1.9 mg/l in red wines and had a maximum of 0.2 mg/l in white wines.^[204]

In a review of published resveratrol concentrations, the average in red wines is 1.9 ± 1.7 mg trans-resveratrol/L (8.2 ± 7.5 μM), ranging from nondetectable levels to 14.3 mg/l (62.7 μM) trans-resveratrol. Levels of cis-resveratrol follow the same trend as trans-resveratrol.^[205]

Reports suggest some aspect of the wine making process converts piceid to resveratrol in wine, as wine seems to have twice the average resveratrol concentration of the equivalent commercial juices.^[195]

In general, wines made from grapes of the Pinot Noir and St. Laurent varieties showed the highest level of trans-resveratrol, though no wine or region can yet be said to produce wines with significantly higher concentrations than any other wine or region.^[205]

Content in selected foods

Food	Serving	Total resveratrol (mg)[203][206]
Peanuts (raw)	1 c (146 g)	0.01 – 0.26
Peanuts (boiled)	1 c (180 g)	0.32 – 1.28
Peanut butter	1 c (258 g)	0.04 – 0.13
Red grapes	1 c (160 g)	0.24 – 1.25
Cocoa powder	1 c (200 g)	0.28 – 0.46

Ounce for ounce, peanuts have about half as much resveratrol as red wine. The average amount in peanuts in the marketplace is 79.4 µg/ounce.

In comparison, some red wines contain approximately 160 µg/fluid ounce.^[207] Resveratrol was detected in grape, cranberry, and wine samples. Concentrations ranged from 1.56 to 1042 nmol/g in Concord grape products, and from 8.63 to 24.84 µmol/L in Italian red wine. The concentrations of resveratrol were similar in cranberry and grape juice at 1.07 and 1.56 nmol/g, respectively.^[208]

Blueberries have about twice as much resveratrol as bilberries, but there is great regional variation. These fruits have less than 10% of the resveratrol of grapes. Cooking or heat processing of these berries will contribute to the degradation of resveratrol, reducing it by up to half.^[209]

Supplementation

As a result of extensive news coverage,^[210][211] sales of supplements greatly increased in 2006.^[212] This was despite the existence of studies cautioning that benefits to humans are unproven.^{[212][213][214]}

Supplements vary in purity and can contain anywhere from 50 percent to 99 percent resveratrol. Many brands consist of an unpurified extract of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), an introduced species in many countries. These contain about 50 percent resveratrol by weight, as well as emodin, which, while considered safe in moderate quantities, can have a laxative effect in high amounts.^[215] Resveratrol can be produced from its glucoside piceid from Japanese knotweed fermented by Aspergillus oryzae.^[20]

Harvard University scientist and professor David Sinclair is often quoted in online ads for resveratrol supplements, many of which imply endorsement of the advertized product; however, Sinclair, who has studied resveratrol extensively, has gone on record in Bloomberg Businessweek to say he never uttered many of the statements attributed to him on these sites.^[216]

Related compounds

• Dihydro-resveratrol
• Epsilon-viniferin and Pallidol, two different resveratrol dimers
• Trans-diptoindonesin B, a resveratrol trimer
• Hopeaphenol, a resveratrol tetramer
• Oxyresveratrol, the aglycone of mulberroside A, a compound found in Morus alba, the white mulberry^[217]
• Piceatannol, an active metabolite of resveratrol found in red wine
• Piceid, a resveratrol glucoside
• Pterostilbene, a doubly methylated resveratrol
• 4'-Methoxy-(E)-resveratrol 3-O-rutinoside, a compound found in the stem bark of Boswellia dalzielii^[218]

See also

References

External links

• Félicien Breton (2008). "Resveratrol and polyphenols in wines". 
• CTD's Resveratrol page from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database
• U.S. National Library of Medicine: Drug Information Portal – Resveratrol
• Detailed Micro-Nutrient information on Resveratrol from the Linus Pauling Institute
• Resveratrol: Don't Buy the Hype
• Stay young on red wine drugs? Think again

v t e Antioxidants Food antioxidants Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Carotenoids (Vitamin A) Curcumin Edaravone Polyphenols Glutathione Hydroxytyrosol L-Carnitine Ladostigil Melatonin Mofegiline N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) N-Acetylserotonin (NAS) Oleocanthal Oleuropein Rasagiline Resveratrol Selegiline Selenium Tocopherols (Vitamin E) Tocotrienols (Vitamin E) Tyrosol Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q) Uric Acid Fuel antioxidants Butylated hydroxytoluene 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol 1,2-Diaminopropane 2,4-Dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol Ethylenediamine Measurements Folin method ORAC TEAC FRAP

v t e Stilbenoids and their glycosides Aglycones Dihydroxylated Pinosylvin 3,4′-Dihydroxystilbene Trihydroxylated Resveratrol Tetrahydroxylated Oxyresveratrol Piceatannol O-methylated 4-Methoxyresveratrol Gnetucleistol D (2-methoxyoxyresveratrol) Gnetucleistol E (3-methoxy-isorhapontigenin) Isorhapontigenin (3,4',5-trihydroxy-3'-methoxystilbene) Pterostilbene Rhapontigenin (3,3',5-trihydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene) Combretastatins: Combretastatin A-1 Combretastatin A-4 carboxylated Hydrangeic acid other acetylations 3,5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene Glycosides Astringin (Piceatannol 3-O-glucoside) Foeniculoside I, II, III and IV Isorhapontin (Isorhapontigenin glucoside) Mulberroside A (Oxyresveratrol diglucoside) of resveratrol Piceid (trans-Resveratrol-3-O-glucoside) trans-Resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide Resveratroloside (trans-resveratrol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) of rhapontigenin Rhapontigenin 3-O-rutinoside 4'-Methoxy-(E)-resveratrol 3-O-rutinoside Rhaponticin (Rhapontigenin glucoside) Oligomeric forms Ampelopsin C, E and H Amurensin A, B, G and H Balanocarpol Carasinol B Dibalanocarpol Diptoindonesin C Diptoindonesin F Flexuosol A Gnetin H Hemsleyanol D Isohopeaphenol Kobophenol A Laetevirenol A, B, C, D and E Malibatol A and B Suffruticosol A and B Vaticanol C Viniferal E-ω-viniferin Z-ω-viniferin Tetramers: Laetevirenol F and G of resveratrol Dimers Amurensin A and H Ampelopsin A B D and F δ-viniferin ε-viniferin Leachinol F Pallidol Parthenocissin A Quadrangularin A Restrytisol A B and C Trimers α-viniferin Amurensin C D and G Malaysianol A Miyabenol C Resviniferin A and B trans-diptoindonesin B Tetramers Amurensin E F and K Gnetuhainin R (isorhapontigenin tetramer) Hopeaphenol Vaticanol B Vitisin A B and C β-viniferin (cyclic resveratrol tetramer) Pentamers Amurensin E and F Higher polymers γ-viniferin Oligomeric forms glycosides or conjugates Diptoindonesin A Laevifonol (an ε-viniferin-ascorbic acid hybrid compound) Laevifoside (O-glucoside of ampelopsin A) Synthetic Stilbenoid drugs