Antioxidant effects of resveratrol in cardiovascular, cerebral and metabolic diseases

• Increasing information about resveratrol metabolism.
• We focused on antioxidant effects of resveratrol.
• We highlight the molecular mechanisms involved in resveratrol antioxidant effects.
• We reported possible toxical effect of resveratrol depending on its dosage.
• Clinical evidences of antioxidant effects of resveratrol.

Resveratrol—a natural polyphenolic compound—was first discovered in the 1940s. Although initially used for cancer therapy, it has shown beneficial effects against most cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A large part of these effects are related to its antioxidant properties. Here we review: (a) the sources, the metabolism, and the bioavailability of resveratrol; (b) the ability of resveratrol to modulate redox signalling and to interact with multiple molecular targets of diverse intracellular pathways; (c) its protective effects against oxidative damage in cardio-cerebro-vascular districts and metabolic disorders such as diabetes; and (d) the evidence for its efficacy and toxicity in humans. The overall aim of this review is to discuss the frontiers in the field of resveratrol’s mechanisms, bioactivity, biology, and healthrelated use.