Title:Resveratrol Targets in Inflammation
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
Author(s): Hiroyasu Inoue and Rieko Nakata
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cyclooxygenase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, inflammation, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor,
resveratrol, SIRT1.
Abstract: Resveratrol, a constituent of grapes and various other plants, has been an attractive
compound for biomedical studies because moderate long-term drinking of red wine is associated with
a reduced risk of lifestyle-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Resveratrol is
as a phytoalexin, cyclooxygenase (COX) suppressor, and an activator of peroxisome proliferatoractivated
receptor (PPAR) and SIRT1. As a major phytoalexin, resveratrol is produced by plants in
response to various environmental stresses, such as pathogens and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and
promotes resistance to these stresses. A similar active ingredient, salicylic acid (SA), is also produced
by plants. Aspirin, acetylated SA, is a major nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) because it inhibits COX
activity in humans. The jasmonic acid (JA) pathway in plants and the COX pathway in humans are both defense systems
against environmental stresses and involve lipid mediators derived from phospholipids. We can hypothesize that there is a
molecular basis for the mutually beneficial relationship between plants and humans, which is important for understanding
the mode of action of resveratrol in inflammation. Here we provide a review of the studies on resveratrol, especially with
respect to the role of COX and PPAR in inflammation.