Resveratrol (RES) is a flavonoid found in more than 70 plants including Asian herbs, grapevine, grapes, peanuts and berries. Recent data suggest that nutritional intake of resveratrol may contribute to the "French paradox", the cardiovascular health in the Mediterranean population. There is increasing evidence that resveratrol exerts multifaceted anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. Importantly, resveratrol was reported to slow aging and increase lifespan in simple organisms and has been suggested as a potential calorie restriction mimetic and anti-aging nutrient.

One of Resveratrol’s most potent effects is its claimed ability to block Nuclear Factor kappaBeta. NF-kB as an important contributor to brain inflammation and accelerated decline. RES has also been shown to help reduces destructive inflammation in the microglial, part of the white matter which act’s as the brain’s immune system.

Resveratrol’s demonstrated anti-aging effects derive from its apparent ability to activate important sirtuins, especially Sir2 enzymes which have been shown to promote cell survival and longevity in lower organisms.

References:

HEAN ZHUANG, YUN-SOOK KIM, RAYMOND C. KOEHLER and SYLVAIN DORÉ. Potential Mechanism by Which Resveratrol, a Red Wine Constituent, Protects Neurons. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 993: 276-286 (2003).

Labinskyy N, Csiszar A, Veress G, Stef G, Pacher P, Oroszi G, Wu J, Ungvari Z. Vascular dysfunction in aging: potential effects of resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory phytoestrogen. J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 280, Issue 17, 17187-17195, April 29, 2005

Margie T. Borra, Brian C. Smith, and John M. Denu. Mechanism of Human SIRT1 Activation by Resveratrol* Neurosci Lett. 2000 Mar 10;281(2-3):123-6.

Virgili M, Contestabile A. Partial neuroprotection of in vivo excitotoxic brain damage by chronic administration of the red wine antioxidant agent, trans-resveratrol in rats. Neurosci Lett. 2003 Dec 11;352(3):203-6.

Wang YJ, He F, Li XL. The neuroprotection of resveratrol in the experimental cerebral ischemia. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 993:276-286 (2003).