Chemoprevention is a promising approach to control human cancer. The polyphenolic compound resveratrol is a naturally occurring phytochemical and can be found in many plant species, including grapes, peanuts and various herbs. Resveratrol has been examined in several model systems for its potential effect against cancer. Its anti-cancer effects include its role as a chemopreventive agent, its ability to inhibit cell proliferation, its direct effect in cytotoxicity by induction of apoptosis and on its potential therapeutic effect in pre-clinical studies. However, the precise mechanism explaining its anti- carcinogenic effect is not clear. This review summarizes recent studies on the mechanisms of resveratrol's effects. In JB6 cells, resveratrol was found to induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor promoter-induced cell transformation. It was also found that resveratrol-induced activation of p53 and resveratrol-induced apoptosis occurred through a p53-dependent pathway. The MAP kinases, ERKs, JNKs, or p38 kinases, are involved in resveratrol- induced activation of p53 and apoptosis. Clearly, the studies with resveratrol provide support for the use of Resveratrol in human cancer chemoprevention and combination with chemotherapeutic drugs or cytotoxic factors in the treatment of drug refractory tumor cells.

Keywords: Resveratrol, Chemoprevention, Apoptosis, p53