Description

Resveratrol (RV), a polyphenol nonflavonoid compound found abundantly in deeply pigmented vegetables and fruits, exhibits a spectrum of biological activities, including antitumor, antioxidant, antiviral and phytoestrogenic properties. Interestingly, at higher concentrations, RV demonstrates cytotoxic effects, indicating a complex dose-dependent behavior that is not uncommon among similar compounds. We consolidate data on the antiviral and cytotoxic effects of RV, as well as its impact on cell survival, cycle progression and membrane properties. These investigations employed conventional biomolecular/cellular and biophysical techniques such as cytofluorimetry and electrorotation, revealing that the primary target of RV is the cellular membrane. We hypothesize that RV may also modulate cellular proliferation.

Anticancer vaccines

Anticancer vaccines are garnering renewed interest as a promising avenue for immunotherapy against certain types of cancer. These vaccines typically involve using either deceased cancer cells or tumor cells alone, or in combination with specific innate immune cells. Recent research has shed light on the immunogenic properties of these deceased or dying cancer cells, which play a crucial role in the effectiveness of anticancer vaccines. Consequently, there's a growing recognition of the importance of understanding the immunology of cell death in the development of these vaccines. This shift in focus has underscored the significance of immune reactions at the vaccination site. Indeed, the therapeutic potential of vaccines utilizing deceased cancer or tumor cells hinges on the nature and characteristics of these immune reactions at the injection site. Through this approach, we aim to model the vaccination site, providing insights crucial for the development of effective anticancer vaccines. Hence, employing both cytotoxic and cytostatic medications concurrently in a patient is deemed most effective for combating tumor growth and metastasis, thus enhancing patient survival. Predicting tumor response to cytotoxic anticancer drugs can be achieved through drug sensitivity tests, while information on the response of tumors to cytostatic anticancer drugs can be obtained by detecting cancer biomarkers or utilizing cancer bioinformatics tools. The suboptimal efficacy of cytotoxic anticancer drugs in patients primarily stems from the development of Multidrug Resistance (MDR), often resulting in cross-resistance among different cytotoxic agents.

Antimicrobial technologies

While originally confined to antibacterials, the term now encompasses all antimicrobials, often interchangeably used in medical circles and literature. Antibacterial agents are categorized into bactericidal, eliminating bacteria and bacteriostatic, hindering bacterial growth. Advancements in antimicrobial technologies have led to solutions surpassing growth inhibition, with porous media designed to eradicate microbes upon contact. However, excessive or improper antimicrobial usage may foster antimicrobial resistance. Resveratrol, a phytoalexin stilbenoid abundant in grapes and red wines, exhibits neuroprotective properties against Aβ-induced toxicity. It effectively inhibits the formation and neurotoxicity of Aβ1-42 fibrils in a dose-dependent manner, primarily by directly interfering with Aβ aggregation and altering oligomer conformation. Interestingly, structural analogues of resveratrol demonstrate greater efficacy in reducing Aβ accumulation within cells compared to resveratrol itself. Moreover, extensive molecular dynamics simulations suggest that resveratrol impedes the lateral growth of single-layered β-sheet oligomers in human IAPP segments, thereby reducing aggregation levels. While numerous studies have affirmed the in vitro antioxidant capabilities of resveratrol, its effectiveness in vivo remains contentious, likely due to limited understanding of its human bioavailability. Nevertheless, resveratrol has exhibited protective effects against Aβ plaque toxicity in rat glioma cells by downregulating the expression of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) and COX-2, thereby averting the uncontrolled release of NO and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Additionally, in astroglial cells, resveratrol has demonstrated the ability to mitigate ammonia neurotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, thus suppressing ROS production and cytokine release. The neuroprotective actions of resveratrol are consistent with a hormetic mechanism of action, often requiring preconditioning or treatment in animal studies. Notably, exposure of cats to high levels of arsenic induces oxidative stress and brain damage, but pretreatment with resveratrol has shown promise in ameliorating these effects.