French paradox and apoptosis: the journey of a phytoalexin, resveratrol.

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin widespread in black grapes and in root extracts of the weed Polygonumcuspidatum, has been an essential ingredient of Oriental folk medicine. Resveratrol is present in redwine and grape juice and is sold as a nutritional supplement. It is well documented that consuming winein moderate amounts helps to reduce the threat of cardiological disease. This result can be accreditedto the inhibition of platelet aggregation and coagulation, besides the antiinflammatory and antioxidantproperties of resveratrol. At the low concentrations normally occurring in food it acts as an antioxidant,which accounts for its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and its neuroprotection effects.However, numerous studies have revealed that, at higher doses, resveratrol shows anticancer activityby interfering with diverse cellular events associated with the three major stages of carcinogenesis(initiation, promotion and progression). Resveratrol exerts its anticancer activity mainly by inducingapoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]