Resveratrol as an anticancer nutrient: molecular basis, open questions and promises

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Published on: June 26, 2018

Paola Signorelli1, Riccardo Ghidoni

  • 1Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, San Paolo University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy.

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
|July 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Resveratrol, a natural compound from grapes, shows anticancer promise by inhibiting cancer initiation and promotion. It impacts cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and key signaling pathways, suggesting its potential in cancer prevention and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in grapes with demonstrated anticancer properties.
  • It inhibits key stages of cancer development, including initiation and promotion.
  • Understanding its mechanisms is crucial for its therapeutic application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the absorption, transport, and metabolism of resveratrol.
  • To elucidate resveratrol's actions in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.
  • To discuss its potential as an anticancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on resveratrol's biological activities.
  • Analysis of resveratrol's interactions with cellular pathways and molecular targets.
  • Discussion of its effects on cell cycle regulators, transcription factors, and signaling molecules.

Main Results:

  • Resveratrol modulates proteins involved in DNA synthesis and cell cycle control (e.g., p53, Rb/E2F, cyclins, CDKs).
  • It influences transcription factors (e.g., NF-kB, AP1) and signaling pathways (e.g., MAPKs, Src).
  • Resveratrol affects apoptosis-related factors (e.g., Bcl2, IAPs) and enzymes in carcinogenesis (e.g., COXs, NOS).

Conclusions:

  • Resveratrol exhibits pleiotropic effects relevant to cancer chemoprevention and therapy.
  • Its ability to modulate both pro-survival and pro-death pathways is significant.
  • Further research into resveratrol's clinical implications is warranted.

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