Resveratrol Targets in Inflammation

Resveratrol, a constituent of grapes and various other plants, has been an attractive compound for biomedical studies because moderate long-term drinking of red wine is associated with a reduced risk of lifestyle-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Resveratrol is as a phytoalexin, cyclooxygenase (COX) suppressor, and an activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and SIRT1. As a major phytoalexin, resveratrol is produced by plants in response to various environmental stresses, such as pathogens and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and promotes resistance to these stresses. A similar active ingredient, salicylic acid (SA), is also produced by plants. Aspirin, acetylated SA, is a major nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) because it inhibits COX activity in humans. The jasmonic acid (JA) pathway in plants and the COX pathway in humans are both defense systems against environmental stresses and involve lipid mediators derived from phospholipids. We can hypothesize that there is a molecular basis for the mutually beneficial relationship between plants and humans, which is important for understanding the mode of action of resveratrol in inflammation. Here we provide a review of the studies on resveratrol, especially with respect to the role of COX and PPAR in inflammation.