Resveratrol: A Real Anti-aging Product

By: Peter T. Pugliese, MD

Posted: November 25, 2008, from the December 2008 issue of Skin Inc. magazine.

Images

• Figure 1: Molecules of resveratrol
• Figure 2: Acetylation process
• Figure 3: Histones wrapped with DNA strands
• Figure 4: Chromosome unraveled

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Keep this concept in mind as you will see and hear about it from time to time. It forms much of the basis for the positive effects of CR.

Resveratrol, CR and aging

CR holds the greatest potential to delay human aging, based on current knowledge. Resveratrol is the most studied natural product for potential use as a mimic of CR, or as a potential therapeutic product to slow the aging process. At present, the mechanisms CR uses to extend lifespan are not known. It seems to slow down parts of the genetic program that relate to aging and to disrupt certain hormonal levels. Anorexia nervosa, for example, caused by severe dietary restriction, markedly affects the estrogenic hormones.

The ability of resveratrol to extend lifespan in animal models, such as flies and mice, made it very interesting to scientists as a potential anti-aging product. The science supporting this action is based on studies in yeast, flies and worms that show the levels of sirtuins are increased. Resveratrol was found to be one of the strongest candidates and was shown to extend yeast lifespan.¹⁹ The work on mammals is less clear. The gene in mammals that resembles Sir2 is called SIRT1, which CR is known to activate in some tissues. The role of SIRTs in mammalian aging remains unknown.²⁰