Semisynthetic Resveratrol-derived Systems: A Synergism between Nature and Organic Synthesis

Structural modifications of the resveratrol scaffold are valuable tools in order to develop new derivatives with potential biomedical and pharmacological applications. The investigation of the biological properties of resveratrol-derived semisynthetic systems and the study of their structure-activity relationships are attracting growing interest from medicinal chemists and biologists. In this context, the synthesis of novel resveratrol-derived systems characterisaed by elevated molecular complexity is highly sought after. Over the past years, a wide variety of resveratrol derivatives have been prepared and studied for their biological properties. Therefore, a number of stilbenoid-related potential anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, analgesic, and anti-neurodegenerative systems have been investigated. This chapter focuses on recent studies related to the preparation and the study of semisynthetic resveratrol-derived systems.