Resveratrol has a wide range of biological activities in antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, and its detailed effects are described below:
Antimicrobial effects
Mechanism of action: Resveratrol can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria through a variety of mechanisms. It can affect the metabolic process of bacteria and interfere with their cell membrane and DNA structure, thus preventing the growth of bacteria. In addition, resveratrol can also change the structure of bacterial membrane, inhibit bacterial biochemical metabolism and inhibit bacterial virulence factors in many aspects.
Antibacterial spectrum: Resveratrol has an inhibitory effect on a variety of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus catarrhalis, Streptococcus aureus or Streptococcus bis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Leiomycetes providentiae, Enterococci, Serratia marcescens, Serratia marcescens and Branchiobacillus pubescens.
Clinical application: Resveratrol as a natural plant antitoxin, its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects have been widely studied and proved to be effective. In today’s world where antibiotic resistance is widespread, resveratrol has become a potential natural antimicrobial agent.
Antiviral effects
Mechanism of action: Resveratrol can inhibit the replication of viruses in host cells through multiple pathways, thus exerting antiviral effects.
Antiviral spectrum: Resveratrol inhibits a variety of viruses, including influenza virus, hepatitis B virus, coxsackievirus, human cytomegalovirus, human T-lymphotropic virus-Ⅰ and so on. In addition, resveratrol is also anti-SARS virus and influenza A I virus.
Clinical application: The antiviral effect of resveratrol makes it a potential antiviral drug or preventive health food. For example, resveratrol is of significance in the prevention and treatment of viral myocarditis, and can also be used as a preventive health food against HIV invasion.
Immunomodulatory effects
Mechanism of action: Resveratrol can affect the immune response by regulating the activity of immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells and T cells. It can activate the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and inhibit the production of inflammatory factors, thus exerting an immunosuppressive effect. Meanwhile, resveratrol can also affect the function of the immune system by regulating the production of cytokines, such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).
Specific effects:
Promote macrophage polarization: resveratrol promotes the transformation of macrophages to M2 type macrophages, reduces inflammatory response and enhances immunoregulatory function.
Regulate dendritic cell maturation and function: resveratrol can regulate the maturation and function of dendritic cells, thus affecting the activation and differentiation of T cells.
Affecting T cell proliferation and differentiation: Resveratrol promotes T cell proliferation and differentiation, enhancing the immune effect. At the same time, it can inhibit the apoptotic process of T cells and maintain the stability of T cell reservoir.
Enhancement of B-cell function: Resveratrol promotes the proliferation and differentiation of B-cells, increases antibody production and enhances the antigen-presenting ability of B-cells.
Regulation of natural killer cell (NK cell) function: Resveratrol can enhance the activity of NK cells, increase their ability to kill target cells, and promote the proliferation of NK cells.
Clinical application: Resveratrol’s role in immunomodulation makes it a potential immunomodulator. It can be used to modulate the treatment of immune-related diseases such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases and immunodeficiency diseases.