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Pendurthi U R et al Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in wine, inhibits tissue factor expression in vascular cells. A possible
mechanism for the cardiovascular benefits associated with moderate consumption of wine. ARTERIOSCLER THROMB VASC BIOL 1999;19:419-26.
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a phytoalexin found in wine, has been claimed to have health benefit activities (see
the following SMFW Bulletins: Vol. 36, No. 1, March 1994, Frankel - acts as an antioxidant and Sharp - increases HDL and decreases platelet aggregation; Vol. 39, No. 1, March 1997, Jang
- tumor chemopreventive and Rotondo – inhibits platelet aggregation).
Pendurthi, et al, state: "Accumulation of tissue factor in atherosclerotic plaques is thought to play a major critical role in
determining plaque thrombogenicity." Their in-vitro studies demonstrated that tissue factor expression in endothelial vascular cells exposed to pathophysiological stimuli was suppressed in a dose dependent manner when resveratrol was added. The authors caution: "It is not clear whether resveratrol could be present in this range in-vivo during consumption of red wine."
JANG M et al Cancer chemopreventive activity of resveratrol, a natural product derived from grapes. SCIENCE 1997;275:218-20.
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is found in many plant species of the human diet including
grapes and wine. This phytoalexin is believed to be produced by the grape skin as a response to the environmental stress of fungal infection. Resveratrol has known antioxidant capacity (Frankel SMFW Bulletin March
1994 Vol. 36 No.1). Now this chemical has been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
Chemically purified trans-resveratrol was shown to inhibit cyclooxygenase. This is a potential antitumor activity because
cyclooxygenase catalyzes reactions which stimulate tumor cell growth, suppress immune surveillance and activate carcinogens which damage genetic material. The authors further demonstrated that resveratrol acted as a chemoprotective agent in chemical carcinogenic models since resveratrol inhibited tumor initiation, promotion and progression activities.
Lastly, resveratrol applied topically reduced tumorigenesis of chemically induced skin lesions in a mouse skin cancer model.
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