Molecular mechanisms of the chemopreventive effects of resveratrol and its analogs in carcinogenesis.
Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a phytoalexin found in grape skins, peanuts, and red wine, has been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. It has been speculated that dietary resveratrol could be an explanation for the so-called 'French paradox' as it may act as an antioxidant, promote nitric oxide production, inhibit platelet aggregation, and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and thereby serve as a cardioprotective agent. Recently, it has been demonstrated that resveratrol can function as a cancer chemopreventive agent, and there has been a great deal of experimental effort directed toward defining this effect. It has been shown that resveratrol and some of its analogs interfere with signal transduction pathways, modulate cell cycle-regulating proteins, and is a potent inducer of apoptosis in multiple carcinoma cell lines. This review summarizes the recent advances that have provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the promising properties of resveratrol.
Ulrich
Sandra
S
1st Department of Medicine, ZAFES, JW Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
Wolter
Freya
F
Stein
Jürgen M
JM
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D000077185:Resveratrol; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D013267:Stilbenes; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000077185:Resveratrol