The organic
compound Resveratrol comes from the plants. It belongs to a group of chemicals
called Phytoalexin secreted by the plants as a form of defense mechanism
against microbial organisms. The compound is extracted from the plant commonly
known as the Japanese Knotweed. Resveratrol has various medicinal benefits that
have lead to its application in treating various medical conditions. a range of experiments have shown that
Resveratrol can be used to treat cancer, diabetes, inflammation, high blood sugar
and other cardio vascular diseases. The compound Resveratrol is found in on the
outer skin of the red grapes growing in the French Riviera that are used to
make red wine. Experiments with Resveratrol have conclusively proven that it
can extend the life of organisms with short life cycles like nematodes, fruit
flies etc.
Here is a list
of possible benefits that Resveratrol can have:
- Cancer: Scientists have found out through experiments that
Resveratrol can have a huge impact on tumors both benign and malignant and
thereby curb down the increase of cancer. In separate experiment
researcher have concluded that Resveratrol has deeper impact on the cancer
causing cells where it can reach in higher concentrations. Cancer of the
skin and that of the Gastro intestinal tract is more likely to be cured
with the help of Resveratrol because it can be applied in higher
concentrations to this region. Animal models having mammary cancers can
also be cured to a great degree with the application of Resveratrol.
- Diabetes: An experimental diabetic
rat has been cured completely with a high dosage of Resveratrol. The best
part is that the cure comes without any visible side effects. Scientists
are still trying to figure out whether the medicinal properties of Resveratrol
will hold true in case of the human model. The number of diabetic patients
is skyrocketing every year, under such circumstances; a positive result
with a diabetic human treated with Resveratrol could work miracles.
- Life extension: Scientists have seen
that high doses of Resveratrol can increase the life expectancy of a small
organism by as much as fifty six percent. There are many tests to be undertaken
before the drug can actually hit the market, but Resveratrol may well be
the “Elixir of life”.
In spite of all
of its good effects, there is very little information on how Resveratrol
actually works in the human body. For example when it comes to breast cancer, a
group of scientists believe that the compound fights the cancer cells, some
others believe that it actually helps in the propagation of the cancerous cells.
No doubt, Resveratrol is a medicinal compound that holds immense promise for
the pharmaceutical industry but whether it has the ability to fight cancer is
still a matter of speculation.