Resveratrol 's History

The traditional Ayurvedic medicine darakchasava contains resveratrol in its formulation. Resveratrol was initially identified in the roots of Veratrum grandiflorum (false hellebore) in 1940, and then later in Japanese knotweed in 1963, when interest was focused primarily on its potential in cardiovascular disease. Resveratrol's possible activity against carcinogens was identified in 1997, and research now also includes interest in its activity in inflammation, aging, diabetes, and neurological diseases.

Although World Health Organization data associate fat consumption with coronary heart disease, among certain populations where high-fat intake is observed with daily consumption of wine (eg, Italy, Switzerland, France), low coronary heart disease mortality rates exist. Termed the "French paradox," it is attributed in part to the presence of resveratrol in wine.

Resveratrol is found in nature as cis-resveratrol and trans-resveratrol. Of the 2 isomers, research has been focused on the trans-resveratrol isomer because it is thought to be more abundant and more biologically active than the cis-resveratrol form. However, trans-resveratrol is highly photosensitive and easily converts to cis-resveratrol.

Several analogues and encapsulated formulations exist that may have a greater bioavailability than resveratrol, including piceatannol, M8, pterostilbene, viniferin, and piceid.