Description
Resveratrol and its metabolites are phenolic phytoalexins found in several plants such as soybeans, peanuts, blueberries, mulberries, and grapes. Resveratrol is most well known for its antioxidative effects and activation of SIRT1, both contributing to its cardioprotective, anticancer chemotherapeutic, chemopreventive, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities; it also acts as a phytoestrogen. Resveratrol reversibly inhibits MAO as well as synaptosomal 5-HT and NE uptake, indicating potential antidepressant activity. This compound also shows benefit in in vitro and in vivo models of Alzheimer’s disease, degrading amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, increasing brain cysteine levels, and decreasing brain glutathione levels; these effects may be dependent on resveratrol’s activation of AMPK and/or proteasomes.