Resveratrol and stroke: from chemistry to medicine

Stroke is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases and is known as a leading cause of death in the world. Despite to its high prevalence, there are limited effective therapeutic strategies for stroke till now. However, oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of stroke and therefore, antioxidant therapy could be used as a new therapeutic strategy. Among the antioxidants, some natural compounds are very interesting due to their low adverse effects. Resveratrol (3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural polyphenolic antioxidant found in grape skin, grape products, and peanuts as well as in red wine. In recent years, much attention has been paid to resveratrol due to its wide range of antioxidant actions. Resveratrol possesses cardioprotective actions through stimulation of nitric oxide production as well as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Here we review the available literatures on beneficial role of resveratrol on ischemic stroke. We also provide information about chemistry, sources, bioavailability, as well as clinical impacts of resveratrol.