ISMNT NEWS: Disease Prevention by Exploring Molecular Mechanisms Linked to Nutrition ********************************************************************************

The first mail of ISMNT NEWS deals with the chemopreventive action of a natural products found in various food products.

Jang, M. et al. reported that resveratrol, a natural product derived from grapes and other food products, has cancer chemopreventive activity. Some answers to open questions: resveratrol has been identified as inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX-1). COX-1 catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to pro-inflammatory substances which can stimulate tumor cell growth and suppress immune surveillance (Goodwin JS 1984 Am J Med 77:7). Resveratrol inhibits cellular events associated with tumor initiation, promotion and progression. Resveratrol has been found in many plant species involving dietary sources such as mulberries, peanuts, and grapes. It is thought that the response of the grape plant to fungal infection invovles production of resveratrol. Resveratrol is present in relatively high amounts in grape skin (about 50-100 ug/g) and thus red wine (1.5-3 mg/l) (Jeandet P et al. Am J Enol Vitic 1991 42:41). Whether non-alcoholic beverages derived from grapes are alternative dietary sources of resveratrol should be considered. Benefits of resveratrol? It certainly merits further investigations not only in the context of cancer prevention but also coronary heart disease, i.e. inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Jang, M. et al. Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612

Science 275: 218-20 (1997)

...Resveratrol was found to act as an antioxidant and antimutagen and to induce <phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes (anti-initiation activity); it mediated <anti-inflammatory effects and inhibited cyclooxygenase and hydroperoxidase functions <(antipromotion activity); and it induced human promyelocytic leukemia cell <differentiation (antiprogression activity). In addition, it inhibited the development <of preneoplastic lesions in carcinogen-treated mouse mammary glands in culture and <inhibited tumorigenesis in a mouse skin cancer model. These data suggest that <resveratrol, a common constituent of the human diet, merits investigation as a <potential cancer chemopreventive agent in humans...