ANTIOXIDANT ACTION OF RESVERATROL IN LIPI D-PEROXIDATION

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic compound pre sent in grapes and in some red wines, We studied the antioxidant effec t of resveratrol on lipid peroxidation in liposomes and in rat liver m icrosomes. Peroxidation, induced by Fe2+ ions, was determined by TEA t est (thiobarbituric acid). Resveratrol was shown to he a more effectiv e antioxidant than butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), quercetin or alpha-tocop herol 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 pero xidation of microsomes, the concentration required to produce 50% of i nhibition of TEA reactive substances (I-50) was approximately 3 times lower with resveratrol than with quercetin. This study suggests that r esveratrol can react with oxidized free radicals to protect lipids aga inst peroxidation.