The mechanisms by which resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-stilbene) imparts neural effects is not well understood. We previously demonstrated that, depending upon the concentration of resveratrol and the cell type, this compound exerts anti-or pro-oxidant effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on H(2)O(2)-mediated genotoxicity in C6 astroglial cells (I - 1mM H(2)O(2)/30 min or II - 0.1mM H(2)O(2)/6h), evaluated by micronucleus assay, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and membrane integrity. H(2)O(2) increased micronuclei to 1.5 (I) and 1.7-fold (II), compared to control cells. This DNA damage was prevented (I) or partially prevented (II) by resveratrol. Oxidative insult also increased TBARS, 52% in I and 38% in II, P<0.05. These effects were prevented by resveratrol in I and increased in II (70% of increase). Present data contribute to the understanding of resveratrol effects under oxidative stress damage.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol, an active ingredient found in grapes and other plant products, in ameliorating oxidative stress. Oxidative stress was induced by addition of Fe2+ and t-butyl hydroperoxide to the cultured PC12 cell medium. Resveratrol, vitamins C and/or E, were added to the cell culture medium during oxidative stress. The combination of resveratrol and vitamins C and/or E was more effective in protecting the cell than was any of these three antioxidants alone.

Biological immunomodulators are routinely evaluated as a natural source of molecules with profound effects on the immune system. They belong to a group of physiologically active compounds, collectively termed biological response modifiers. Most of the studies were focused on immune system stimulation. Recently, they have become the focus of studies seeking molecules that are able to overcome negative effects of various immunotoxins. This paper concentrates on the effects of a glucan/resveratrol/vitamin C combination on immunosuppressive effects of mercury and perfluorinated hydrocarbons. Effects described in this review have strong clinical potential, as environmental contaminants have adverse effects on all aspects of the immune system and represent a serious threat to the health of both humans and animals.

Phytoalexins t-resveratrol and t-piceatannol, the well-known health-promoting active components in plants, are secondary metabolites generated upon biotic or abiotic stresses. We have reported UV-irradiated peanut callus is a potent means to produce these compounds (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005, 53, 3877). In this work, the effects of fungi and chemical elicitors on induction of t-resveratrol and t-piceatannol were examined. Results showed the investigated fungi Botryodiplodia theobromae and Reishi Ganoderma lucidum were generally more effective than chemical stress methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, and sucrose. As high as 15.46+/-9.85 microg of t-resveratrol and 6.93+/-2.03 microg of t-piceatannol could be elicited in each gram of callus by sterilized G. lucidum mycelium (80 mg). Although much more sterilized G. ludicum mycelia was required to induce similar level of t-resveratrol and t-piceatannol in comparison to the sterilized B. theobromae mycelia (1 mg), uptake of the G. ludicum mycelium may provide a variety of health-promoting effects. Our findings suggest G. ludicum mycelium-treated peanut callus is a good source of bioactive components.

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin structurally related to stilbenes, which is synthesized in considerable amounts in the skin of grapes, raspberries, mulberries, pistachios and peanuts, and by at least 72 medicinal and edible plant species in response to stress conditions. It was isolated in 1940 and did not maintain much interest for around five decades until its role in treatment of cardiovascular diseases was suggested. To date, resveratrol has been identified as an agent that may be useful to treat cancer, pain, inflammation, tissue injury, and other diseases. However, currently the attention is being focused in analyzing its properties against neurodegenerative diseases and as antiaging compound. It has been reported that resveratrol shows effects in in vitro models of epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and nerve injury. However, evidences in vivo as well as in human beings are still lacking. Thus, further investigations on the pharmacological effects of resveratrol in vivo are necessary before any conclusions on its effects on neurodegenerative diseases can be obtained.