Resveratrol occurs naturally in a variety of plants and plant products, most notably red wine and grapes. Numerous studies have proven that resveratrol has a variety of favorable health impacts. Apart from its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardioprotective (risk of heart disease reduction) qualities, resveratrol has been demonstrated to possess anticancer capabilities.
Clinical Anticancer Benefits of Resveratrol
Resveratrol has been found in laboratory and animal studies to exert anticancer activity via activating or deactivating molecular pathways. It may aid in the prevention of the creation of potential carcinogens (substances that cause cancer), inhibit the impact of carcinogens on their target organs or tissues, and act on cells to inhibit cancer growth or induce apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Resveratrol’s Anticancer Functions – In animals
Beyond promising results from experiments on cells developed in the laboratory, researchers have lowered the number and size of tumors in animal studies. As a result, it stands to reason that high dosages in people should have the same impact.
The chemical itself has a variety of impacts on cells, mostly through interfering with energy generation (metabolism). Studies in mouse models have shown that the topical treatment of resveratrol lowered the incidence of skin cancers and slowed melanoma development, with signs indicating enhanced apoptosis.
Resveratrol’s Anticancer Functions – In human
A clinical study in 2007 of resveratrol supplements in healthy volunteers measured the levels of the molecule in the body after a variety of various dosages were administered indicating that large dosages of resveratrol are safe. It also indicated that supplementing for anticancer purpose may be useful for just a subset of people, depending on their genetic makeup, food, and lifestyle. 1000 mg resveratrol daily reduced blood androgen precursor levels, but not testosterone or dihydrotestosterone, prostate-specific antigen levels, or prostate volume in 66 middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome (randomized placebo-controlled trial).
A randomized, blinded study of 39 women who were at a higher risk for breast cancer found that the methylation of a tumor suppressor gene called RASSF-1 was less. This was linked to higher serum levels of resveratrol particulalry trans-resveratrolof Polygnonum Cuspidatum after taking trans-resveratrol at a 5 mg or 50 mg dose.
Resveratrol Attenuates Memory Loss
Resveratrol’s been shown success in treating Alzheimer’s Disease based on the amount to which its metabolites become accessible and impact both sirtuin-dependent and sirtuin-independent signaling pathways. The object recognition test showed that long-term resveratrol therapy reduced memory loss. Resveratrol decreased amyloid load and enhanced mitochondrial complex IV protein. Resveratrol’s protective effects were mediated via enhanced Sirtuin 1 and AMPK activation, IL1 and TNF gene expression increased, showing resveratrol encouraged alterations in inflammatory processes, although other critical players in the oxidative stress pathway did not change. Overall, our data imply that resveratrol can attenuate memory loss.
Resveratrol Improves Brain Injury Recovery and Motor Functions After a Stroke
The study explored the resveratrol’s effect on behavioral alterations following stroke or middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Resveratrol was demonstrated to reduce infarct size and neurological scores, implying that brain injury and motor function are significantly improved. These findings provide compelling evidence that resveratrol protects the brain from focal cerebral ischemia-induced injury, but most importantly, resveratrol has an antidepressant-like effect on the post-stroke disorder, which may be mediated in part by regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function. Additionally, middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced abnormalities associated with depressive-like behaviors were reduced due to resveratrol.
