title: Resveratrol: from basic science to the clinic.
abstract: Plants produce an extraordinary array of low molecular mass natural products endowed with biological activity. Among these molecules, resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) has been identified as an inhibitor of carcinogenesis with a pleiotropic mode of action. Extensive literature on its anticancer activity, performed in cellular models, suggests a potential antiproliferative and apoptogenic use of the stilbene. Similarly, studies on implanted cancers and chemical-induced tumors confirm a potential chemotherapeutical interest of the compound. Moreover, recent intriguing studies have demonstrated, in mice, that the negative effects (insulin resistance and hyperglycemia) of a high-fat diet might be prevented by resveratrol treatment. Despite these promising observations, only few clinical trials have been performed on the compound due to the scarce interest of pharmaceutical industry. We suggest that resveratrol might be considered an interesting compound in association with more specific target-oriented drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, F. Cedrangolo, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cucciolla
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borriello
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galletti
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zappia
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Della Ragione
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry; D000077185:Resveratrol; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000094162:Phytoalexins
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013267:Stilbenes; D013729:Terpenes; D000077185:Resveratrol; D000094162:Phytoalexins