Resveratrol, a polyphenol antioxidant, is found in a variety of plants, notably red grapes. In plants, resveratrol helps defend against stress and pathogens. It provides considerable health benefits for humans, as well. Research has shown substantial benefits from resveratrol for a variety of illnesses, including some neurological conditions. Consult your doctor before supplementing with resveratrol to treat a neurological condition.
Inflammation
Resveratrol protects brain cells by reducing inflammation in the central nervous system, according to study published in the August 2010 issue of the journal "Neuroinflammation." In the study on laboratory animals, resveratrol inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory molecules and exerted anti-inflammatory effects that prevented microglia and astrocytes -- supportive nerve cells in the central nervous system -- from damage.
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Stilbenoids, the family of antioxidant compounds that includes resveratrol, may be useful in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders, say authors of a study published in the January 2011 issue of the "Annals of the New York Academy of Science." Aside from its widely researched benefits to cardiovascular health and cancer prevention, the researchers report promising preliminary results in tissue culture and animal studies for the use of resveratrol to treat a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Also, resveratrol may be able to inhibit protein deposits in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Antioxidant Effects
A study published in the November 2010 issue of the journal "Molecules" on the neuroprotective properties of a variety of compounds, including resveratrol, reported that antioxidant activity is responsible for the nervous system benefits. These molecules protect against nerve cell degeneration and death by scavenging free radicals and increasing cellular defenses. Other antioxidant compounds in the study included curcumin -- the active ingredient in turmeric -- rosemary, garlic and sulforaphane from broccoli.
Cellular Aging
Resveratrol activates a family of compounds called sirtuins, that regulate aging and cellular resilience, according to a study published in the September 2010 issue of the journal "Biofactors." In particular, resveratrol provides neuroprotective benefits that may improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and epilepsy, say the researchers. While resveratrol has has been widely studied for its potential anticancer effects, this new direction of research on resveratrol for neurological disorders shows promising results.
References
- "Journal of Neuroinflammation"; Resveratrol differentially modulates inflammatory responses of microglia and astrocytes; Lu X, et al.; 2010
- "Biofactors"; Neuroprotective properties of resveratrol in different neurodegenerative disorders; Albani D, et al.; 2010
- "Human Molecular Genetics"; ERK activation by the polyphenols fisetin and resveratrol provides neuroprotection in multiple models of Huntington's disease; Maher P, et al.; 2011
- "Molecules"; Nutraceutical antioxidants as novel neuroprotective agents; Kelsey NA, et al.; 2010
- "Annals of NY Academy of Science"; Neuroprotective properties of resveratrol and derivatives; Richard T, et al.; 2011
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