Anti-apoptotic effect of trans-resveratrol on paclitaxel-induced apoptosisin the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line

Paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma ce ll line SH-SY5Y. The addition of trans-resveratrol, a natural antioxidant p resent in grapes and red wine, to SH-SY5Y cultures exposed to paclitaxel si gnificantly reduces cellular death. The neuroprotective action of trans-res veratrol is due neither to its antioxidant capacity nor to interference wit h the polymerization of tubulin induced by paclitaxel. However, trans-resve ratrol is able to inhibit the activation of caspase 7 and degradation of po ly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase which occur in SH-SY5Y exposed to paclitaxel. Re sveratrol, therefore, exerts its anti-apoptotic effect by modulating the si gnal pathways that commit these neuronal-like cells to apoptosis. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.