Written by Evien Cheng | Edited by Alexander Alva and Amanda Fang
Photo by MART PRODUCTION
What do red wine, blueberries, peanuts, and grapes have in common? They all contain the powerful substance known as resveratrol [1]. For around two decades now, resveratrol has been identified as (an anti-aging drug/a drug that can increase longevity by combating some biological processes that promote rapid aging or reduce age-related disease). However, resveratrol research on human subjects has been limited, as most research has been performed on other mammals and yeast [2]. Thus, whether resveratrol can have a groundbreaking effect on the human aging process still remains a question. With that in mind, researchers hope to reproduce these beneficial effects through the use of different chemicals. As such, the specific effects and mechanisms of resveratrol on humans are still being researched, all in hopes that we will one day be able to pharmacologically replicate resveratrol’s benefits.
Resveratrol slows down the body’s process of aging through its anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects [3]. Anti-tumor effects stop abnormal cell growth that could potentially lead to cancer, while anti-inflammatory effects reduce swelling and pain in the body. In a study performed by the University of Illinois, about 1000 plant and marine extracts were tested for cancer-preventive effects. Resveratrol was found to have a significant inhibition effect on the protein, COX-1. COX-1 is found in the majority of our body cells and is responsible for creating chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. There are many potential benefits in using resveratrol to prevent the COX-1 protein from functioning properly. For instance, if COX-1 works too much, it could enhance the growth of tumor cells or activate cancer-causing products [3]. Thus, introducing resveratrol inhibits the cancer-promoting COX-1 protein. Overall, resveratrol has similar effects to other anti-inflammatory drugs in its ability to reduce the risk of cancer and tumors.
Furthermore, resveratrol can also mimic caloric restriction effects. Caloric restriction practices reduce the daily caloric intake to below standards without causing any negative side effects. It is essentially a tool that could help with combating diabetes and the aging process [4]. A study on high-calorie diets in mice showed that adding resveratrol to their diet reduces risk of death by 31%. Thisrisk reduction due to resveratrol made the high-calorie mice’s risk of death comparable to that of mice with standard diets. [4]. Another benefit found from a high-calorie diet with resveratrol was lower levels of insulin and glucose, which signal a lower risk of acquiring diabetes. High-calorie diet mice had alterations in their plasma levels that were markers of diabetes, but, when these mice were fed resveratrol, their plasma normalized to levels similar to the standard-diet mice [4]. The possible mechanisms behind resveratrol’s ability to significantly decrease glucose and insulin levels has not been clearly identified; however, it is evident that resveratrol does cause a healthier improvement in rodent studies.
Resveratrol is currently a substance that is under study, as its biological processes have yet to be completely identified and understood. Most present data does not directly correlate to humans, as most studies have been performed on mice and other similar vertebrates. As a result, research continues to attempt to minimize the side effects of resveratrol while maximizing its anti-aging properties. As with most drug research, human clinical trials require time and involve the risk of complications developing, so results will be slow. Nevertheless, this does not weaken the anti-aging potential of resveratrol by any means. Resveratrol is generally considered to be safe and may be used as a dietary supplement [2]. As long as research continues on this substance, resveratrol may become a vital drug in the future.
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