ABSTRACT
Cancer chemopreventive agents have been classified according to the stage of carcinogenesis in which they have demonstrated activity, and broadly termed blocking and suppressing agents. Induction of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell differentiation, and inhibition of aromatase, antiestrogenic, estrogenic, and estrone sulfatase activities have been used to monitor inhibition of carcinogenesis at the progression stage. Significant amounts of resveratrol were detected in healthy fruit clusters, prior to any detectable mold lesions. This suggested that the compound was synthesized after the recognition of the pathogen by the plant. Resveratrol reduced biomarkers of lung carcinogenesis produced in benzo(a)pyrene-treated mice but not tumorigenesis. Consumption of red wine implies the ingestion of resveratrol, and correlations can be examined between consumption and cancer incident. Most typically, weak hormonal activity has been observed in the absence of the native steroid, and anti-hormonal activity has been observed on the addition of native hormone.
