Resveratrol Anti-inflammatory Action Confirmed

October 29,2004
Resveratrol, the powerful antioxidant found in wine, and another polyphenol quercetin can act as novel anti-inflammatory agents, conclude UK researchers
The team from Imperial College London, England, confirmed resveratrol’s broad anti-inflammatory action, and found potential for applications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and possibly even arthritis.

Other resveratrol healing powers

However they note that clinical preparation and delivery remain issues.

Resveratrol from red wine has long been associated with the so-called ‘French Paradox’, reflecting the low incidence of heart disease among the French despite their relatively high-fat diet. Found in the skins of red fruits such as grapes and plums, the polyphenol is being marketed as a supplement by some companies although it is known to present bioavailability issues.

The Imperial team did confirmed the compound “exhibited anti-inflammatory mediator release from human airway epithelial cells."

They write in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology that their study also excluded a number of potential mechanisms of action, including the oestrogen or glucocorticoid receptor. This means these agents might be beneficial in inflammatory diseases where glucocorticosteroids have proved to be ineffective, such as COPD, steroid-resistant asthma, and arthritis.