title: The cell membrane is the main target of resveratrol as shown by interdisciplinary biomolecular/cellular and biophysical approaches.
abstract: One of the research lines developed in our laboratory is focused on the study of the bioactivity of natural substances. Resveratrol (RV) is a polyphenol nonflavonoid compound present in a number of plant species but mainly in the berries of the red grape Vitis vinifera. The powerful antioxidant action of this molecule is well documented. In this work we evaluated the effects of this substance by adopting diverse experimental strategies. In particular, we studied the effects on cell vitality and cycle by MTT and cytofluorimetric assays. In addition, we explored the action of RV on the cell membrane by a well-consolidated biophysical approach: electrorotation. This technique allows assessment of the structure/function of the cell membrane. The results presented here demonstrate that RV shows a modest effect on the biological properties of the cell in terms of cytotoxicity and cell cycle alterations. On the contrary, a significant effect on the membrane structure/function was observed, consisting of an enhanced intramembrane ion transport. The implications and interpretation of these membrane alterations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Milardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stringaro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonincontro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Risuleo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001692:Biological Transport; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D013267:Stilbenes; D000077185:Resveratrol