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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer Prevention > Cancer Prevention: Plant Products (Phytochemicals) > Cancer Prevention: Resveratrol

Cancer Prevention: Resveratrol

Classified as:
Phytochemical, Polyphenol, Phytoestrogen, Anthocyanin

Structure of Resveratrol

Intro and Background
Resveratrol is a compound commonly found in the skin and seeds of red grapes. It can also be obtained from berries, nuts, wine, and supplements. ^{(1) (2)} In plants, this compound helps defend against fungal infections. ⁽¹⁾ The origin of cancer treatment with resveratrol came in 1925 when Johanna Brandt, a South African dietician, declared she was able to cure herself of stomach cancer by eating a 'grape diet'. ⁽³⁾ She opened the Harmony and Healing Centre in New York City in 1928 but was quickly charged with practicing medicine without a license. ^{(4) (5)} The American Cancer Society has examined Brandt's 'grape cure' four times and found no therapeutic value for its use. ⁽⁴⁾ Another source of the interest regarding resveratrol is the so-called 'French paradox' which points out that French people typically eat diets high in fat but experience fewer incidences of heart disease than Americans. ⁽⁶⁾

Please read our notice on CAM and chemoprevention methods.

Scientists are researching this compound because of its antioxidant activity ⁽⁷⁾ and because it may interfere with angiogenesis and metastasis ⁽⁸⁾ and be capable of inducing apoptosis ⁽¹⁾ of cancer cells. It is also being examined as a possible way to prevent cancer, protect endothelial cells, and prevent heart disease. ^{(1) (9)} Resveratrol has not shown negative side effects in animal trials when supplements have been used. ⁽⁸⁾

Learn MORE about angiogenesis, apoptosis and metastasis

Scientific Research
Research has shown that resveratrol can induce apoptosis in vitro ⁽¹⁰⁾ in cancer cells and reduce cancer cell growth. ⁽¹⁾Experiments involving mice have also indicated that resveratrol can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. ⁽¹¹⁾ Alternatively, studies have also shown that resveratrol can stimulate breast cancer cell growth in vitro. ⁽²⁾ Because of differences in study designs, small patient numbers, and short treatment times, doctors have not been able to arrive at any definite conclusions about the ability of resveratrol (and similar molecules) to treat cancer. ⁽¹²⁾

For information about ongoing clinical trials involving resveratrol, please visit our section on Finding Clinical Trials.

US Food and Drug Administration Approval
At this time there is not conclusive evidence that resveratrol can effectively prevent cancer. For this reason, resveratrol has not been approved for cancer prevention by the FDA.

References for this page:

1. Alkhalaf M. Resveratrol-induced growth inhibition in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells is associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and protein translation. Eur J Cancer Prev. (2007)16(4):334-41 [PUBMED]
2. Basly JP, Marre-Fournier F, Le Bail JC, Habrioux G, Chulia J. Estrogenic/antiestrogenic and scavenging properties of (E)- and (Z)-resveratrol. Life Sci. (2000) 66(9): 769-77. [PUBMED]
3. Brandt, Johanna. How to Conquer Cancer, Naturally (The Grape Cure). 2nd edition. Tree of Life Publications, 1996
4. Barrett S. The Grape Cure. (2001). Accessed 2 June 2010 [ www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/grape.html]
5. Cease and Desist Orders. Abstracts of Certain Federal Trade Commission Releases. Grape Cure for Cancer. JAMA 116:2525, 1941 File accessed 6/1/2010 [http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/vol116/issue22/index.dtl]
6. Opie LH, Lecour S. The red wine hypothesis: from concepts to protective signalling molecules. Eur Heart J. (2007) 7 [PUBMED]
7. de Almeida LM, Pineiro CC, et al, "Pritecteive effects of resveratrol on hydrogen peroxide induced toxicity in primary cortical astrocyte cultures." Neurochem Res. (2007) Jun 27. [PUBMED]
8. Delmas D, Lancon A, Colin D, Jannin B, Latruffe N. Resveratrol as a chemopreventative agent: a promising molecule for fighting cancer. Curr Drug Targets. (2006) 7(4): 423-42. [PUBMED]
9. Chow SE, Hshu YC, Wand JS, Chen JK. Resveratrol attenuates oxLDL-stimulated NADPH oxidase activity and protects endothelial cells from oxidative functional damage. J Appl Physiol. (2007) 102(4): 1520-7 [PUBMED]
10. Ahmad, Kashif A, et al. Protein kinase CK2 modulates apoptosis induced by resveratrol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate in prostate cancer cells. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 6.3 (2007): 1006-12 [PUBMED]
11. Fulda S. and Debatin, KM. Resveratrol modulation of signal transduction in apoptosis and cell survival. Cancer Detection and Prevention (2006) 30:3, 217-223 [PUBMED]
12. Von Low E.C, Perabo F.G., Siesner N., Muller S.C. Review. Facts and fiction of phytotherapy for prostate cancer: a critical assessment of preclinical and clinical data. In Vivo. (2007) 21:2, 189-204. [PUBMED]