Resveratrol

Secondary plant substance that is effective as an antioxidant with a high redox potential (radical scavenger), anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive (Berman AY et al. 2017). Chemically, resveratrol belongs to the group of stilbenes (stilbenes from stilbein - Greek for shine), aromatic, polyphenolic, non-steroidal hydrocarbons with estrogenic effect, which are insoluble in water, easily soluble in ethanol and easily soluble in ethereal earth. The biological function of resveratrol is to protect plants from fungal, bacterial and viral infections and from harmful environmental influences (e.g. UV rays or toxins).

Resveratrol is generally regarded as "the actual active ingredient of red wine" (Renaud S 1993). The substance is mainly found in the skin of the grapes, in lower concentrations in the grape seeds, in the stems, vines and roots of the vine. Resveratrol is also found in peanuts and mulberries, but also in the leaves of the white lily and in Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum).

Effect: Resveratrol is a sirtuin activator. Resveratrol also specifically inhibits cholesterol oxidation, inhibits platelet aggregation and has a vascular protective effect. Resveratrol inhibits both cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and intrinsic nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), two key enzymes of inflammation (Leonard et al. 2003). In experimental approaches, resveratrol inhibits the nuclear translocation of NFκ-b and thus suppresses one of the most important mechanisms in the genesis of pro-inflammatory mediators. The molecule also appears to have an apoptotic effect.

Resveratrol is absorbed in the human gastrointestinal tract after oral administration and is then rapidly metabolized. 30 minutes after administration, the vast majority is in glucuronidated or conjugated form. The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is given for a 65 kg person with 390 mg resveratrol.

In cosmetic formulations resveratrol containing extracts obtained during the fermentation of the yeast fungus Pichia pastoris are used as skin care products and as "anti-aging creams".

Ko-jo-kon is the name for resveratrol in traditional Japanese medicine. Darakchasava is the name for resveratrol in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

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