Cardiovascular effects of resveratrol.

Resveratrol, trans-3, 5, 4’-trihydroxy stilbene is a naturally occurring phytoalexin present in many different types of nutrients which we consume on daily basis. Resveratrol was first isolated from dried roots of Polygonum cuspidatum, as the principal active ingredient. Polygonum cuspidatum and its extract have been used in Japanese and Chinese traditional medicine for treatment of various skin inflammations, cardiovascular and liver diseases, and fungal infections 1, . There are two isoforms of resveratrol: cisand trans– resveratrol. Trans–resveratrol is biologically active isoform. The main source of resveratrol is grape skin. Also, resveratrol is present in fruits such as cranberry, lingonberry, bilberry, mulberry, deer berry, blueberry, sparkleberry, partridgeberry, jackfruit, and in a peanut orchid tree, scots pine, corn lily, white hellebore, eucalyptus, spruce etc. (Table 1) 3, . Resveratrol has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects and beneficial cardiovascular effects . There were around 800 published articles about biological properties of resveratrol and its health benefits, from 1940 until 2005. From 2005 until nowadays, there are more than 4,000 new studies with resveratrol on cells, isolated animal organs, animals and humans. It is well known that resveratrol has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. It plays the most important role in the epidemiological phenomenon called “French paradox” (existence of cardiovascular risk factors with low incidence/mortality rates which may attribute to moderate consumption of red wine) 12, . The following will describe the most important effects of resveratrol on the cardiovascular system.