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Resveratrol and Viruses

Jun 16, 2011 | By Tracey Roizman, D.C.
Resveratrol and Viruses
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Resveratrol, a type of polyphenol antioxidant, gives grapes and certain other plants protection from invading pathogens and environmental stressors. Resveratrol has been found to provide similar benefits to humans who consume the substance either as part of the diet or as a supplement. Some of resveratrol's benefits pertain to fending off viral infections.

Herpes Simplex

Resveratrol provides a number of immune defensive and health-enhancing benefits, including anticancer, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects, says M. Raafat El-Gewely, editor of "Biotechnology Annual Review, Volume 14." The antioxidant molecule inhibits reproduction of two forms of HSV, herpes simplex virus,: HSV-1 and HSV-2, as well as a drug resistant strain of HSV-1.

Enterovirus

Resveratrol inhibited enterovirus, a type of virus that infects the intestinal tract, in a study published in the April 2011 issue of the "Journal of Southern Medical University." In the cell culture study, resveratrol was effective at inhibiting the virus before it infected intestinal cells but was not effective at inhibiting the virus once cells were infected. Researchers concluded that resveratrol shows potential as an antiviral agent against enterovirus.

Polyomavirus

Researchers reported antiviral effects of resveratrol against polyomavirus, a group of tumor-causing viruses. Antiviral properties of resveratrol with regard to herpes simplex, varicella-zoster -- a type of herpes virus -- and influenza, have previously been demonstrated, say the authors. In this study, resveratrol inhibited the virus at dose levels that are not toxic to cells. However, at high doses resveratrol exhibited toxic effects on cells, implying potentially useful effects against cancer cells. The researchers conclude that these properties make resveratrol a good candidate as an antiviral and possibly as an anti-cancer agent. The study appeared in the July 2009 issue of the "Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research."

Respiratory Viruses

Some respiratory viruses may respond to treatment with resveratrol, according to a study published in the September 2008 issue of the "Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials." Of the four types of respiratory viruses tested in the tissue culture study, one showed inhibition by resveratrol. The researchers called for further studies to determine resveratrol's mechanism of activity against respiratory viruses.

References

Article reviewed by Molly Solanki Last updated on: Jun 16, 2011

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