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. (6)
Please read our notice on CAM and chemoprevention methods
Scientists are researching this compound because of its antioxidant activity (7) and beacuse it may interfere with angiogenesis and metastasis (8) while inducing apotosis (1) of cancer cells. It is also being examined as a possible way to prevent cancer, protect endothelial cells (9), and prevent heart disease. (1) Resveratrol has not shown adverse side effects in animal trials when supplements have been used. (8).
Learn MORE about angiogenesis, apoptosis and metastasis
Scientific Research
Resveratrol has shown that it can induce apoptosis (10) in cancerous cells and reduce cancer cell growth (1) during in vitro studies. 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) However, because of the differences in study designs, small patient numbers, and short treatment time, doctors have not been able to make any definite statements or conclusions about the ability of resveratrol (and similar molecules) to treat cancer. (12) In vitro experiments, however, show that resveratrol is capable of enhancing the anti-tumor growth effects of the chemotherapy drug rapamycin. These experiments also showed a lowered incidence of cancer resistance to rapamycin, which is likely a consequence of reservatrol suppressing AKT signalling (13).
There are numerous clinical studies currently being conducted to determine the value of resveratrol as an effective cancer treatment at UC Irvine, The National Cancer Institute, and the University of Oslo. (14) For information about ongoing clinical trials involving resveratrol, please visit our section on Finding Clinical Trials.
US Food and Drug Administration Approval
There is not enough evidence to support that resveratrol is effective in the fight against cancer and it has not been approved by the FDA for cancer treatment. (15)
*It is important to keep in mind that many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, work by generating free radicals in order to destroy cancer cells. If a cancer patient takes antioxidants while undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatment, it is possible that these compounds may protect tumor cells from the desired free radicals. Doctors may recommend that patients undergoing these treatments avoid antioxidants so that the treatment is as effective as possible. (16)
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