ANTIOXIDANT ACTION OF RESVERATROL IN LIPID-PEROXIDATION

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic compound present in grapes and in some red wines, We studied the antioxidant effect of resveratrol on lipid peroxidation in liposomes and in rat liver microsomes. Peroxidation, induced by Fe2+ ions, was determined by TEA test (thiobarbituric acid). Resveratrol was shown to he a more effective antioxidant than butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), quercetin or alpha-tocopherol in all the systems tested. In liposomes, the antioxidant effect of resveratrol, to 10 mu M, did not depend on the pro- or antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid. For non enzymatic and/or NADPH dependent peroxidation of microsomes, the concentration required to produce 50% of inhibition of TEA reactive substances (I-50) was approximately 3 times lower with resveratrol than with quercetin. This study suggests that resveratrol can react with oxidized free radicals to protect lipids against peroxidation.