Red wine ingredient resveratrol protects from β-amyloid neurotoxicity

Background: beta- Amyloid peptide ( Abeta), a neutrotoxic substance, has been implicated to a great degree in cell death during the course of AD. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol mainly found in red wine, has been shown to be cardioprotective and chemoprotective. Since a moderate wine intake correlates with a lower risk for Alzheimer disease ( AD), an additional neuroprotective effect has been postulated for resveratrol. Objective: The present study aimed at elucidating the possible neuroprotective effects of resveratrol against Abeta- induced neurotoxicity. Methods: The neuroprotective capacity against Abeta- related oxidative stress was studied in a cell culture model suitable for studying such potentially neuroprotective substances. Results: Resveratrol maintains cell viability and exerts an anti- oxidative action by enhancing the intracellular free- radical scavenger glutathione. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that red wine may be neuroprotective through the actions of resveratrol. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.