ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the preventive effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant found abundantly in grapes and red wine, against Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure-mediated damages in vitro as well as in vivo. It considers studies showing that resveratrol can act as a potential sensitizer to enhance the antiproliferative effects of ionizing radiation against cancer cells. The chapter provides information regarding the preventive effects of resveratrol, a strong antioxidant amply present in grapes and red wine, against UV radiation-mediated damages. The most dangerous outcome of excessive exposure to solar UV radiation is the development of skin cancer that accounts for considerable worldwide morbidity and mortality. The chapter demonstrates that resveratrol affords protection against the damages caused by short-term UVB exposure, and that these protective effects may be mediated via its strong antioxidant properties. It suggests that resveratrol may be developed as a cancer chemopreventive agent against photo-carcinogenesis and other adverse effects of UVB exposure.
