Pleiotropic effects of resveratrol

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in red wine, has several pharmacological properties which include inhibition of arachidonate metabolism in leukocytes and platelets, modulation of lipid metabolism, inhibition of platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation, reduction of expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2. Resveratrol induces cell cycle arrest at S/G(2) phase transition and a pro-apoptotic cell death in several types of cancer cells. All these biological activities help to explain the vasorelaxing, anticancer and antiinflammatory activity of resveratrol. This article summarizes the wide range of biological activities of resveratrol in three disease states: cancer, coronary heart disease and pain. In addition, the mechanisms underlying these promising properties of resveratrol are also reviewed.