Resveratrol

Product Description

Huzhang ("tiger cane") or giant knotweed is an east Asian species (Polygonum cuspidatum), belonging to the Polygonaceae family. Documented uses in traditional Chinese medicine date to the first century BC, and contemporary medical uses supported by clinical results include acute microbial infections or viral hepatitis, chemo- or radiation-induced leukocytopenia, atherosclerosis, and hyperlipidemia. In a recent investigation conducted in vivo and in vitro, resveratrol displayed chemopreventive effects at three critical stages of carcinogenesis. Specifically, resveratrol was found to 1) induce phase II drug metabolizing enzymes (antiinitiation); 2) mediate anti-inflammatory effects and inhibit cyclooxygenase and hydro-peroxidase (antipromotion); and 3) induce human promyelocytic leukemia cell diferentiation (antiprogression). Resveratrol was also found to inhibit the development of preneoplastic lesions in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo. Very recently, it was reported that Huzhang extract is one of the best active-oxygen scavengers for the prevention of skin aging induced by UV-irradiation and free radical. Experiments conducted in vivo indicate that resveratrol is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation.