Examining Resveratrol’s Health Benefits: The Potency of Wine's Natural Antioxidant

 

Ahmed Abdulkadhim Hamidy*1, Marwah A. K. Hameedi2, Bashar Jawad Hussein3

1Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad – Iraq.

2Missions and cultural Relations department, AI-Iraqia University, Baghdad- Iraq.

3Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, Aliraqia University, Baghdad- Iraq.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: ahmed.abd.h@uomustansiriyah.edu.iq., marwa.a.hamidi@aliraqia.edu.iq, bashar.j.hussein@aliraqia.edu.iq.

 

ABSTRACT:

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic molecule has been drawing more interest as for its beneficial effects on health. One of the greatest saviors of them all is polyphenols; something that we hear about a lot as it combats anti-aging, anti-inflammation and acts like an antioxidant that is very abundant in red wine, grapes and several plants. Data from the literature relating the resveratrol (3,4'-5-trihydroxystilbene) content of wines to longevity, cancer prevention in grape-derived products, neuroprotection and cardiovascular health are reviewed. While the results are promising, there is still much left to be desired when trying to transfer these benefits into humans primarily due to an issue of bioavailability. Please About this Article: This article also reviews the mechanisms of action, clinical trials and safety profile of resveratrol ingestion.

 

KEYWORDS: Resveratrol, Wine, Antioxidant.

 

 


1.INTODUCTION

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol, one that comes primarily from the skin of red grapes but also certain berries and peanuts. One of the most high-profile concerns, have been in relation to red wine and so-called "French Paradox" (how, despite a high saturated fat diet they have unexpectedly low rates of heart disease)1-3. Resveratrol does so in high concentrations but the actual mechanism of action is still being studied, especially for humans4, and it is only speculated that these effects are contributing to cardiovascular health, longevity and even cancer prevention.

 

2. Resveratrol and the French Paradox:

The health benefits of red wine have obtained since antiquated occasions; for instance, the decrease in CHD (coronary heart disease) and cardiovascular troubles. We herein discuss the hypothesis that wine-associated resveratrol may mediate these protective effects. Initially investigated by Jang et al., Violet Wine Cardiovascular Benefits This dualism is detailed as the antioxidant properties that resveratrol produces may reveal the problems of violet wine assets really excellent intake are correlated with minor cardiovascular risks in communities6. However, more recent reports have pointed to the difficulties in leveraging their health effects into benefit for humans due to individual variation in responses and technical problems with bioavailability7.

 

3. Chemical properties of Resveratrol:

Trans-resveratrol and cis-resveratrol are the two main forms of resveratrol (C14H12O3), which is a member of the stilbene class of chemicals. Red wine is the primary source of the trans form, which is the most bioactive. The chemical makeup of resveratrol, its plant synthesis, and the differences between its many sources (such as red wine, grapes, and supplements) are covered in this section. One of the most significant characteristics of resveratrol is its antioxidant ability, which is derived from its phenolic structure8,9.

 

4. Wine with Resveratrol:

Wine with Resveratrol Generally speaking, wine is the most common drink that has Resveratrol, because it is mainly located in and between skins and seeds of red grapes. The chapter deals with resveratrol concentration in wine and its determinants, including grape type, fermentation process and storage. This also shows us the differences relative between both red and white wines, noting that due to prolonged contact with grape skins during fermentation red wines contain more resveratrol.10

 

5. Factors Influencing the Resveratrol Level in Wine:

The winemaking process plays a key role in the final levels of resveratrol, including grape type, vineyard site and fermentation length. As an example, Soleas et al. For example, wines produced from certain grape species such as Pinot Noir are reported to contain significantly higher amounts of resveratrol than those made from other grape species.11 Even the organic farming techniques have been found to increase this compound in wine12.

 

6. Resveratrol Health Benefits:

In this section provides a comprehensive overview of the potential health benefits of resveratrol, particularly addressing:

 

6.1. Health of the Heart: The cardioprotective effects of resveratrol include improving endothelial function, reducing inflammation, and preventing oxidative damage. Animal studies have shown it lowers cholesterol and reduces blood chlots 13,14. On the contrary, clinical studies such as Kelley et al. demonstrate that resveratrol supplements can have beneficial effects on two cardiovascular risk factors: blood pressure and lipid profiles15.

 

6.2. Anti-cancer Properties: Research suggests resveratrol exerts anticancer activity through modulation of diverse signaling pathways associated with cancer cell growth, metastasis and apoptosis. In terms of cancer treatment, there is talk about resveratrol itself as an adjuvant therapy and in preventing oxidative DNA damage16,17. Research by Boocock et al. further supports the idea that resveratrol may inhibit and prevent metastasis of tumor cell expansion18.

 

6.3. Effects on Neuroprotection: Resveratrol also possesses neuroprotection powers and can cross blood-brain barriers. Previous studies suggest that resveratrol can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain which may decrease the risk of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's19. The review paper by Migliaccio and De Luca20 describes the potential ability of resveratrol to preserve cognitive ability and reduce amyloid deposition, a hallmark lesion of AD.

 

6.4 Benefits of Anti-aging And Longevity: Perhaps the most fertile ground for research has been whether or not resveratrol can extend life. We explore its effects on functions associated with aging — such as autophagy and sirtuins. This article also discusses how species such as mice and yeast might be able to live longer lives due to participation in resveratrol which could have implications for an increased longevity in humans21. Baur and Sinclair22 conducted pioneering research showing that certain resveratrol doses activate sirtuin proteins linked to metabolic health and longevity.

 

7.Action Mechanisms:

Such a molecular mechanism of action is necessary to assess the therapeutic potential of resveratrol. This part of the paper reviews its antioxidant properties, activity to induce sirtuins, especially SIRT1 and role on controlling oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammatory pathways. 32

 

8. Sirtuins and Resveratrol:

One reason is that resveratrol stimulates a type of protein known as sirtuins, which have been linked to aging and cellular regulation. Significant investigations are made into the interactions that resveratrol discovers with these proteins, particularly in the setting of both life span and also metabolic diseases23. Research has shown that sirtuins, which resveratrol activates, can also increase mitochondrial function and decrease inflammation as well24.

 

9. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammation Mechanisms of Action:

This is important, because oxidative damage and inflammation are crucial to many chronic illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease, both of which Resveratrol reduces8. This section then explores in further depth how resveratrol modulates antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines25. Resveratrol has a high antioxidant activity and this characteristic is the main mechanism of its action in many diseases related to oxidative stress26.

 

How useable and absorbable a product:

Despite the fact that resveratrol has displayed potential in preclinical studies, its poor systemic bioavailability renders it ineffective at the human level. This portion of the article describes the challenges with absorption, metabolism and short half-life of resveratrol in the body. Also includes strategies to improve bioavailability e.g., co-delivery27. Insights related to ways of improving effectiveness and bioavailability of resveratrol in the clinical setting can be found from the work of Singh and Alhassan28.

 

10.Research and Trials:

A number of clinical trials have evaluated the effects of resveratrol supplementation. In this section, we highlight key positive and negative findings from important studies. It additionally discusses how variations in examine designs, dosages and health conditions on the half of contributors may bring about varied effects.

 

10.1. Clinical Trials in Cardiology:

Several studies suggest that resveratrol lowers cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation). On the other hand, large population studies have yielded mixed results15,29

 

Such differences in outcome are often attributed to the variation in dose, duration of treatment or population characteristics.

 

10.2. Clinical Use and Research in Cancer:

Despite promising preclinical data, human studies looking into the appropriateness of resveratrol as adjuvant cancer treatment held scarce clinical information. While its use is controversial, there are even discussions on how to prove its efficacy as an anti-cancer drug18.

 

11. Potential dangers and side effects:

All this makes the caution on resveratrol supplementation an interesting one: it has possible benefits, so there are some hazards of supplementation. This section discusses potential side effects like gastrointestinal problems, interactions with other medications (like blood thinners), and questions about chronic use. Based on clinical research that has examined the safety profile of resveratrol at multiple doses30.

 

12. CONCLUSION:

Overall, the analysis concludes that resveratrol is promising health benefits particularly in neuroprotection, cancer prevention and cardiovascular health is reviewed. But the powers of these benefits being applied to people are not as clear cut, and underscore a need for additional study. Improved delivery systems and bioavailability may were the key factors reaping maximum therapeutic potential from resveratrol31.

 

13. REFERENCES:

1.      Baur, J. A., and Sinclair, D. A. Therapeutic potential of resveratrol: The in vivo evidence. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 2006; 5(6): 493-506.

2.      Das, S., and Vasudevan, D. M. Resveratrol and the risk of cardiovascular diseases: A review of its molecular mechanisms. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition. 2007; 40(1): 1-7.

3.      Azzini, E., and Polito, A. Polyphenols in red wine and their beneficial effects on human health. Nutrients. 2013: 5(4): 1147-1162.

4.      Jang, M., et al. Cancer chemopreventive activity of resveratrol, a natural product derived from grapes. Science, 1997; 275(5297): 218-220.

5.      Zhao, H., and Wang, J. Resveratrol and its effects on cancer prevention and therapy: A review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017; 8: 179.

6.      Soleas, G. J., et al. Resveratrol content in commercial wines and other fermented beverages. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 1997; 45(9): 4365-4374.

7.      Pervaiz, S., and Holme, A. L. Resveratrol: Its biologic effects and role in health and disease. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. 2009; 11(10): 2851-2882.

8.      Migliaccio, A., and De Luca, C. Resveratrol and its neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases: A review. Current Drug Targets. 2016; 17(13): 1580-1587.

9.      Boocock, D. J., et al. Resveratrol and its potential as an adjunctive treatment for cancer. European Journal of Cancer. 2007; 43(3): 499-508.

10.   Gambini, J., et al. The antioxidant properties of resveratrol and its potential as a therapeutic agent in aging. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2009; 47(4): 561-567.

11.   Kelley, D. S., et al. Resveratrol supplementation and cardiovascular disease risk factors: A meta-analysis. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2011; 55(1): 7-17.

12.   Yin, Y., et al. The role of resveratrol in neuroprotection: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Neurochemistry International. 2011; 58(5): 365-376.

13.   Singh, R., and Alhassan, M. Bioavailability of resveratrol: Challenges and strategies to enhance its potential as a therapeutic agent. Food Research International. 2016; 89: 318-328.

14.   Ghanim, H., et al. Resveratrol supplementation and its effect on markers of inflammation in overweight and obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2013; 98(12): E2105-E2112.

15.   Berman, R., et al. Resveratrol and its potential as a therapeutic agent in diabetes management. Diabetes Therapy. 2017; 8(3): 617-625.

16.   Zhao, Z., et al. Resveratrol protects against cancer through multiple mechanisms. Current Cancer Drug Targets. 2015; 15(7): 697-709.

17.   Zhang, J., et al. Resveratrol inhibits the growth and metastasis of breast cancer. Cancer Letters. 2012; 314(2): 167-174.

18.   Boocock, D. J., et al. Resveratrol and its potential as an adjunctive treatment for cancer. European Journal of Cancer. 2007; 43(3): 499-508.

19.   Migliaccio, A., and De Luca, C. Resveratrol and its neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases: A review. Current Drug Targets. 2016; 17(13): 1580-1587.

20.   Pervaiz, S., and Holme, A. L. Resveratrol: Its biologic effects and role in health and disease. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. 2009; 11(10): 2851-2882.

21.   Baur, J. A., and Sinclair, D. A. Therapeutic potential of resveratrol: The in vivo evidence. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 2006; 5(6): 493-506.

22.   Jang, M., et al. Cancer chemo preventive activity of resveratrol, a natural product derived from grapes. Science. 1997; 275(5297): 218-220.

23.   Soleas, G. J., et al. Resveratrol content in commercial wines and other fermented beverages. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 1997; 45(9): 4365-4374.

24.   Baur, J. A., and Sinclair, D. A. Therapeutic potential of resveratrol: The in vivo evidence. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 2006; 5(6): 493-506.

25.   Singh, R., and Alhassan, M. Bioavailability of resveratrol: Challenges and strategies to enhance its potential as a therapeutic agent. Food Research International. 2016; 89: 318-328.

26.   Ghanim, H., et al. Resveratrol supplementation and its effect on markers of inflammation in overweight and obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2013; 98(12): E2105-E2112.

27.   Gambini, J., et al. The antioxidant properties of resveratrol and its potential as a therapeutic agent in aging. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2009; 47(4): 561-567.

28.   Pervaiz, S., and Holme, A. L. Resveratrol: Its biologic effects and role in health and disease. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, 2009; 11(10):  2851-2882.

29.   Kelley, D. S., et al. Resveratrol supplementation and cardiovascular disease risk factors: A meta-analysis. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2011; 55(1): 7-17.

30.   Berman, R., et al. Resveratrol and its potential as a therapeutic agent in diabetes management. Diabetes Therapy. 2017; 8(3): 617-625.

31.   Boocock, D. J., et al. Resveratrol and its potential as an adjunctive treatment for cancer. European Journal of Cancer. 2007; 43(3): 499-508.

32.   Tian, X. F., et al. Resveratrol: A review of its effects on the regulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in health and disease. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2019; 134: 313-322.

 

 

 

Received on 06.12.2024      Revised on 31.12.2024

Accepted on 16.01.2025      Published on 24.02.2025

Available online from February 27, 2025

Asian J. Research Chem.2025; 18(1):37-40.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-4150.2025.00007

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