Does Resveratrol Decrease Tumor Growth?

Resveratrol, an antioxidant molecule in the polyphenol family, is found in several plants, notably the skins of red grapes. Resveratrol confers considerable health benefits and has been widely studied for its protective effects on the cardiovascular system, nervous system and as a cancer preventative. As with any remedy, consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine the appropriate course of therapy for your individual health needs before using resveratrol.

Breast

Both resveratrol and a molecule derived from it, triacetyl-resveratrol, have the ability to inhibit breast cancer, according to a study conducted at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York. In the study, published in the January 2011 "International Journal of Cancer," both reservatrol and its chemical cousin used similar methods of communicating with cancer cells. Both molecules were effective on both estrogen positive and estrogen negative breast cancer cells.

Prostate

Resveratrol enhances apoptosis, programmed cell death, in prostate cancer cells, according to a study conducted at Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. The study on laboratory mice, published in the December 2010 "PLoS One," found that a combination of resveratrol with a component of the immune system known as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand produced a synergistic effect that was greater than either one by itself. The combination therapy also decreased the blood supply to tumors.

Colorectal

Colorectal cancer responds well to treatment with resveratrol, according to a study published in the 2011 "Cancer Prevention Research" journal. Resveratrol works at multiple junctures to increase expression of a gene that inhibits inflammation and induces apoptosis, according to the study on human colorectal cancer tissue culture conducted at the University of Tennessee.

Cancer Stem Cells

Cancer stem cell growth is significantly inhibited by resveratrol, according to a study published in the December 2010 "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment." In the sequence of events, lipid synthesis is inhibited, followed by promotion of apoptosis in cancer cells. Resveratrol accomplishes its health benefits without any toxic side effects, note the researchers of the study conducted at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Ovarian

A study on the effects of hawthorn on ovarian cancer, published in the December 2010 "Journal of Medicinal Food," found that resveratrol effectively induced apoptosis of cancer cells by increasing the activity of an enzyme known as caspase and cytochrome c, a protein molecule found in the energy-producing apparatus of cells, which promote apoptosis. The researchers concluded that hawthorn was effective at lower doses than needed for other substances that induce apoptosis.