Resveratrol anti-inflammatory action confirmed

October 30, 2004

29/10/2004 - Resveratrol, the powerful antioxidant found in wine, and

another polyphenol quercetin can act as novel anti-inflammatory

agents, conclude UK researchers, although they question the value of

offering resveratrol over the counter.

The team from Imperial College London, England, confirmed

resveratrol's broad anti-inflammatory action, and found potential for

applications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma,

and possibly even arthritis.

However they note that clinical preparation and delivery remain issues.

Resveratrol from red wine has long been associated with the so-called

`French Paradox', reflecting the low incidence of heart disease among

the French despite their relatively high-fat diet. Found in the skins

of red fruits such as grapes and plums, the polyphenol is being

marketed as a supplement by some companies although it is known to

present bioavailability issues.

Lead researcher Louise Donnelly said the research group had " looked at

the over-the-counter " versions of resveratrol and found that " it's not

very pure and probably wouldn't be worth taking " . The major

bioavailability problem comes from the fact that the compound

dissolves only in certain solvents, including alcohol, " and is cleared

very rapidly in the liver, " Donnelly said.

The Imperial team did confirm however that the compound " exhibited

anti-inflammatory mediator release from human airway epithelial cells. "

They write in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and

Molecular Physiology that their study also excluded a number of

potential mechanisms of action, including the oestrogen or

glucocorticoid receptor. This means these agents might be beneficial

in inflammatory diseases where glucocorticosteroids have proved to be

ineffective, such as COPD, steroid-resistant asthma, and arthritis.

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