Resveratrol, an antioxidant present in red wine, induces apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells

Resveratrol, a triphenolic stilbene present in grapes and other plants, has striking antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which have been cons idered to be responsible for the beneficial effects of red wine consumption on coronary heart disease. Recent studies reveal that resveratrol can inhi bit each step of multistage carcinogenesis. However, the molecular mechanis ms underlying anti-tumorigenic or chemopreventive activities of this phytoc hemical remain largely unknown. In the present work, we have found that res veratrol reduces viability and DNA synthesis capability of cultured human p romyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. The growth inhibitory and antiprolifer ative properties of resveratrol appear to be attributable to its induction of apoptotic cell death as determined by morphological and ultrastructural changes, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and increased proportion of th e subdiploid cell population. Resveratrol treatment resulted in a gradual d ecrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. These results, together with previous findings, suggest the cancer therapeutic as well as chemoprev entive potential of resveratrol. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.