Resveratrol, an extract of red wine, inhibits lipopolysaccharide induced airway neutrophilia and inflammatory mediators through an NF‐κB‐independent mechanism

Abstract

Consumption of a naturally occurring polyphenol, resveratrol, in particular through drinking moderate amounts of red wine, has been suggested to be beneficial to health. A plethora of in vitro studies published demonstrate various anti‐inflammatory actions of resveratrol. The aim of this research was to determine whether any of these anti‐inflammatory effects translate in vivo in a rodent model of LPS induced airway inflammation. Resveratrol reduced lung tissue neutrophilia to a similar magnitude as that achieved by treatment with budesonide. This was associated with a reduction in pro‐inflammatory cytokines and prostanoid levels. Interestingly, the reduction did not appear to be due to an impact on NF‐κB activation or the expression of the respective genes as suggested by various in vitro publications. These results suggest that resveratrol may possess anti‐inflammatory properties via a novel mechanism. Elucidation of this mechanism may lead to potential new therapies for the treatment of chronic inflammation.