ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to summarize some in vitro and animal studies reporting on the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol and its structure-activity relationship. It discusses the potential mechanisms of the neuroprotective actions of resveratrol, and the possible relevance of these studies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The chapter considers a neuroprotective role of resveratrol through several different mechanisms, including the inhibition of free radicals, metal chelating, the modulation of various intracellular signal pathways, and the regulation of the expression of various genes and transcription factors. Numerous in vitro and animal studies have shown that resveratrol possesses neuroprotective abilities. Since naturally occurring resveratrol analogs such as piceatannol are also present in grape, natural or synthetic resveratrol analogs with enhanced neuroprotective activities may be more useful than resveratrol as neuroprotective agents. Resveratrol is known to have potent antioxidant properties that are likely responsible, at least in part, for its neuroprotective action.
