Resveratrol

Definition: Resveratrol (abbreviated as Res) is a natural polyphenolic stilbene compound isolated from various plants, foods, and beverages. Its chemical name is 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene.

Existence Forms: In nature, it mainly exists in the form of trans-resveratrol. There are two structural types, namely cis and trans. It can also exist in four forms: free states (cis and trans) and glycoside-bound states (cis and trans).

Distribution and Sources
Plant Sources: It is widely present in more than 70 plant species belonging to 21 families. Grape skins and grape seeds are among the main sources. Red wine also contains a relatively abundant amount of resveratrol. In addition, peanuts and their products, as well as Polygonum cuspidatum, are rich in resveratrol.
Other Sources: It can be industrially produced in large quantities through chemical synthesis methods, such as the Perkin method, the Heck method, and the Wittig-Horner method. It can also be synthesized through enzymatic synthesis methods, utilizing yeast expression or plant expression.
Physiological Effects
Antioxidation and Anti-aging: It can scavenge free radicals, inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce oxidative stress responses, and thereby delay the aging process, preventing the occurrence of skin aging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Cardiovascular Protection: It can inhibit the abnormal expression of tissue factor (TF) and cytoplasm in vascular cells, regulate lipid metabolism, reduce blood lipid levels, prevent cholesterol deposition in the liver, cause vasodilation, increase the release of nitric oxide (NO) and adenosine, and protect the chronically ischemic myocardium.
Estrogen Regulation: Its chemical structure is similar to that of the estrogen diethylstilbestrol. It can compete for the binding space of estrogen receptors, activate the receptors, and play a role in estrogen signal transduction. This helps prevent a series of diseases in women after menopause, which are caused by insufficient estrogen secretion in the body.
Antitoxin Effect: It is an antitoxin secreted by plants in the face of adversity or pathogen attacks. Its synthesis increases sharply under conditions such as ultraviolet irradiation, mechanical damage, and fungal infection, which can reduce the harm of certain toxins to the body.
Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory: It has a good antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, and Providencia rettgeri. It can also inhibit the production of key enzymes and cytokines in the inflammatory response, reducing the damage of inflammation to tissues.
Nervous System Protection: It has a certain neuroprotective effect and may contribute to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Application Areas
Healthcare Field: It can be used as an ingredient in health products, formulated into capsules, tablets, etc., to enhance immunity, resist oxidation, delay aging, and maintain a healthy blood lipid level.
Medical Field: It has potential applications in cancer prevention and treatment. It can also be used to develop drugs for treating cardiovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, diabetes, and other conditions.
Agricultural Field: It can improve plants' ability to resist biotic and abiotic stresses, and can be used to develop plant protectants, reducing the use of pesticides.
Cosmetics Field: It is often added to skin care products and beauty products, such as essences and creams, for purposes such as antioxidation, whitening, reducing spots, and anti-aging.