Shedding Light On Resveratrol’s Biochemistry May Lead To Effective Medicines

A discovery about the biochemistry and cell targeting mechanism of resveratrol may lead to the development of resveratrol-based medicines for combating diabetes, inflammation, Alzheimer’s and cancer,U.S. researchers report. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring chemical found in red wine and other plant products, does not directly activate sirtuin 1, a protein associated with aging. Instead, the compound inhibits certain types of proteins known as phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that help regulate cell energy. Prior research has shown that about one gram of resveratrol a day, roughly equal to the amount found in 667 bottles of red wine, is needed to confer any major health benefits.