Planta Med 2008; 74(13): 1651-1655
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1074516
Perspective
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Resveratrol from Red Grapes – Pedestrian Polyphenol or Useful Anticancer Agent?

Andreas J. Gescher1
  • 1Cancer Biomarkers and Prevention Group, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, U.K.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: November 19, 2007 Revised: March 5, 2008

Accepted: March 11, 2008

Publication Date:
29 April 2008 (online)

Abstract

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin with cancer chemopreventive properties in preclinical models of carcinogenesis. The mechanisms via which resveratrol is thought to exert chemopreventive efficacy are inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes, inhibition of angiogenesis, modulation of drug metabolising enzymes, antioxidation and alterations of cell cycle components and apoptotic machinery. Pharmacokinetic evidence in rodents and humans suggests that the bioavailability of resveratrol is very low and that resveratrol conjugates are the major circulating agent-derived species. The recent realisation that resveratrol can mimic caloric restriction in several species has generated a lot of interest. Attempts to design analogues with the aim of optimising resveratrol pharmacology have furnished stilbenes with different aryl subtituents, e. g., methoxy instead of hydroxy. Some of these derivatives possess more potent pharmacological properties than the lead compound. More work is required to elucidate the role of metabolites in the pharmacological activity of resveratrol.

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Andreas J. Gescher

Cancer Biomarkers and Prevention Group

Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine

University of Leicester

Leicester LE2 7LX

U.K.

Phone: +44-116-223-1856

Fax: +44-116-223-1855

Email: ag15@le.ac.uk

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