Resveratrol was discovered in 1997 and is a strong bioactive compound found in many food items from peanuts to grapes and products derived from grapes such as red wine. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound consisting of two phenolic rings bonded together by double styrene bonds which form 3,5,4’-Trihydroxystilbene also known as Resveratrol. It exists in two different geometrical isomeric forms namely cis-Resveratrol and trans-Resveratrol. Both exhibit different therapeutic and physical activities. Resveratrol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose and lipid regulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects. Resveratrol, therefore, has been regarded as a potent candidate for the development of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals to prevent and treat certain chronic diseases.
Two isomeric forms of resveratrol-
Resveratrol possesses a wide range of biological properties, among them antioxidant, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities are most prevalent.
1. Antioxidant Activity- Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant. Its antioxidant activities potentially depend on the arrangement of functional groups and its nuclear structure. It acts as a direct antioxidant by scavenging free radicals such as hydroxy radicals (•OH), hydroperoxyl radicals (•OOH) etc. It also acts as an indirect antioxidant by inducing various antioxidant cellular pathways and thus prevents cells from damage by UV irradiation and reduces oxidative stress on cells.
2. Anticancer Activity- The anticancer properties of resveratrol have been confirmed by many in vitro and in vivo studies, which show that resveratrol is able to inhibit all carcinogenesis stages (e.g., initiation, promotion and progression). It possesses both chemo preventative as well as chemotherapeutic properties. It prevents cancer proliferation by several mechanisms mainly by inducing pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative activities. For instance, resveratrol has demonstrated apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects on human cervical carcinoma by inducing cell shrinkage in HeLa cells and apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3 and -9, upregulation of the expression of the pro-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2-associated X protein and downregulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-extra-large in HeLa cells, and increased expression of the p53, a protein that is essential for cell survival and cell cycle progression.
Conclusion:
Even though resveratrol possesses a wide array of biological activities and is potentially a beneficial drug, its use in pharmaceutical products is widely restricted by its poor stability and low bioavailability. Although these issues can be improved by adding different functional groups, the bioavailability still remains significantly poor. Also, there are some health concerns and side effects reported over use of resveratrol such as its pro-oxidizing activities. Therefore, it's better concluded that even though resveratrol exhibits various therapeutic activities it's better incorporated in our diet in the form of fruits or beverages such as red wine rather than using it in pharmaceutical preparations to avail most benefits.
References:
By- Rachit Sanghavi
Comments