Abstract

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol (stilbenoid) that works as a phytoalexin, a part of plants’ defense system against infection, ultraviolet radiation, stress and injury. Common dietary sources of resveratrol include grapes, berries, peanuts, red wine, and some herbal preparations. In animal models, resveratrol exhibits a wide spectrum of potential therapeutic activities, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, neuroprotective, and longevity-promoting properties. Resveratrol mimics the antioxidant, anti-aging, and neuroprotective effects of caloric restriction, mainly mediated through the increased expression of genes encoding antioxidants and the anti-aging factors (AMPK and Sirtuin 1). Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases currently have several shortcomings. Naturally occurring compounds may play a significant role in augmenting these therapeutic options. Resveratrol has been shown to maintain homeostasis, protect the brain against oxidative stress, preserve neuronal function, and ultimately minimize age-related neurological decline. It has shown positive effects in animal models and cell culturebased experiments in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Resveratrol enhances learning memory and neurogenesis and alleviates neural apoptosis in the hippocampus of AD mice. Beneficial effects of resveratrol in PD result from the inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation and cytotoxicity, lowering of total and oligomeric α-synuclein levels, reduction of neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Clinical trials are also evaluating the role of the drug in the major neurodegenerative disorders.