VITIS VINIFERA AS A MEDICINAL PLANT

Grapes are the most important dietary sources of the main stilbenic phytoalexins (e.g. trans-resveratrol,) whose beneficial effects can be divided approximately into two main groups: protective/chemopreventive and killing/inhibiting effects.
Using TLC, OPLC and HPLC as separation techniques, as well as MALDI MS data, we identified formaldehyde, in dimedone adduct form, and stilbene derivatives in different parts of the berries.
For the biological evaluation of the fractions and reaction products various healthy (endothelial) and tumour cell lines (e.g.
HT-29 human colon carcinoma), as well as Botrytis cynerea culture were used. Trans-resveratrol and related compounds have a characteristic á,â-double bond and phenolic hydroxyl groups, which determine their reactivity with other molecules.
Such an interaction may be between trans-resveratrol and endogenous formaldehyde (HCHO) from labile bonds in animal and human tissues.
The mobilization of HCHO with trans-resveratrol (first step) may cause e.g. a cardio protective or anticarcinogenic (e.g. initiation stage) effect and the reaction products (labile hydroxymethyl derivatives) (second step) may exert a killing (and/or apoptotic) activity to cancer cells and/or pathogens.

International Conference on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Part II)

E. Tyihák, G. Káy, Z. Király-Véghely, Z. Németh, L. Albert, B. Szende

double effect, phytoalexin, formaldehyde, interaction, resveratrol

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.597.22