The antioxidant resveratrol protects your body from the cell-damaging action of free radicals, unstable molecules that occur naturally in your body and may play a role in cancer development. It is a polyphenolic compound found largely in grapes and red wine. Resveratrol may provide benefits to cancer patients. However, before using resveratrol, check with your doctor to learn if resveratrol is safe for you.
Melanoma Skin Cancer
Biochemists at the Marshall University School of Medicine showed that resveratrol possesses in vitro antitumor activity. It suppresses tumor growth and induces apoptosis in melanoma cancer cell lines, according to Richard M. Niles, the Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Marshall University School of Medicine. Apoptosis is a normal physiological process that helps your body get rid of tumor cells.
Lung Cancer
Scientists at the University of Virginia report on the compound resveratrol that inhibits non-small-cell lung cancer progression. Resveratrol has been found to disrupt the integrity of the protein NF--kB, an oncogene in lung cancer. The attenuation of NF--KB, or nuclear factor kappa B, promotes apoptosis of lung cancer cells, according to Marty Mayo, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Virginia.
Breast Cancer
In cell culture and animal studies, resveratrol at high concentrations inhibits carcinogen-induced breast cancer cell proliferation. Resveratrol has been found to decrease the enzymatic expression of certain cytochrome P450 enzymes which catalyze the production of reactive species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, according to Jane Higdon, Ph.D., of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. These carcinogens are capable of inducing harmful cell mutations, leading to initiation of breast cancer.
Skin Cancer
As of 2011, scientists at the Columbia University Medical Center are investigating resveratrol for possible use in the prevention and treatment of basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Ultraviolet-B radiation from the sun, sunlamps or tanning beds can damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to cancer-causing mutations in the skin. Resveratrol might be effective at preventing this UV-induced carcinogenesis--the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer--according to Arianna Kim, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Columbia University Medical Center.
References
- Huntington's Outreach Project for Education, at Stanford; Red Wine: A Look at How Resveratrol, a Component of Red Wine, May Be Used to Treat HD; D. McGee and P. Bakhi
- Marshall University School of Medicine; Major Research Interests; Richard M. Niles
- "Journal of the National Cancer Institute"; Resveratrol May Be a Powerful Cancer-Fighting Ally; James Schultz; October 20, 2004
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Resveratrol; Jane Higdon; March 2005
- SkinTouch, Columbia University Medical Center; Could Resveratrol, an Ingredient in Red Wine, Prevent Skin Cancer?; Winter/Spring 2010
