A Very Promising Molecule: Resveratrol, Induced Synthesis, and Health Benefits

Abstract

Resveratrol (trans-3, 4', 5-trihydroxystilbene) is an abundant stilbene compound that can be found in a large number of plant products, including the skins and seeds of grapes and wines. Many scientific evidence has demonstrated that resveratrol exerts a plethora of biological function, especially cardiovascular protective, antiplatelet, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood glucose-lowering, anticancer, antiaging, and anti-obesity activities. Recently, published data have shown that resveratrol protects also against some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and obesity, as well as is effective in the management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal woman without an increased risk of breast cancer. Its anti-inflammatory properties are thought to be responsible for anxiolytic properties, as well as its demonstrated antidepressant efficacy. Because of the important activities of resveratrol, there is an increasing interest in producing grapes or wines with higher contents of this compound and a higher nutritional value. Many biotic like fungi or abiotic elicitors, UV-C irradiation, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, H2O2, O3, and CaCl2 can trigger the resveratrol synthesis in grape berries. Under the same elicitation pressure, viticultural and enological factors can substantially affect resveratrol concentration in the wine. However, one major concern is its poor solubility and absorption when it is given orally, which may lower its biological effectiveness and which has been attributed to its extensive hepatic glucuronidation and sulfation. Recent studies showed that the methoxylation on the free hydroxyl groups of resveratrol could reduce its metabolization and increase its plasma exposure. Different strategies have been assessed to improve trans-resveratrol bioavailability. Many biological mechanisms of action have been proposed for the observed benefits of light to moderate wine consumption on cognitive function in later life. Other stilbenoid compounds such as pterostilbene and 3'-hydroxypterostilbene have promising application for the management and treatment of chronic disorders. However, human studies of stilbenoid compounds are still lacking. Future clinical research for these compounds in chronic diseases is necessary to investigate their physiological and pharmacological effects and safety.