Grapevine Stilbenes and Their Biological Effects

Abstract

Vine and wine are an abundant source of polyphenolic compounds, including mainly flavonoids and stilbenes. The latter appear to constitute a large class of compounds, monomers and oligomers (dimers, trimers, tetramers) resulting from different oxidative condensations of the resveratrol monomer. Stilbenes exhibit potent biological activities in vitro on several targets that might be able to influence favourably several physiological and pathological processes, and to provide a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases and cancer, as suggested by epidemiological studies. Trans-resveratrol, the most studied stilbene, shows great promise in the treatment of leading diseases. Resveratrol acts through multiple pathways on the same pathology such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Its absorption appears to be high, but the oral bioavailability of unchanged resveratrol is very low due to rapid and extensive metabolism.