Resveratrol induces apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis in human breast cancer xenografts in vivo

Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and wine, is considered a potential cancer chemopreventive agent. Resveratrol has been shown to induce transcription via both ER alpha and ER beta. We observed significantly lower tumor growth, decreased angiogenesis, and increased apoptotic index in ER alpha- ER beta+ MDA-MB-231 tumors in resveratrol-treated nude mice compared with controls. In vitro we found a significant increase in apoptosis in resveratrol-treated MDA-MB-231 cells in addition to significantly reduced extracellular levels of VEGF. This study supports the potential use of resveratrol as a chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.