Resveratrol in Alzheimers disease: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutic potential / Resveratrol na doença de Alzheimer: uma revisão sobre fisiopatologia e potencial terapêutico

ABSTRACT Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of cognitive function. The presence of senile plaques is one of the pathological markers of the disease and is associated with the onset of neuroinflammatory mechanisms. The exact pathophysiology of AD has not been completely understood, and there are no curative therapies yet. Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a polyphenol that is noted for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: To review the role of resveratrol in the pathophysiological aspects of AD. Methods: This study carried out a literature review using PubMed/Medline, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Sciences, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library databases. Original research articles, describing both in vitro and in vivo experiments, published between 2008 and 2018, were included. Results: We identified 667 articles, of which 619 were excluded because they were repeated or did not follow the inclusion criteria. The present study includes the remaining 48 articles. Discussion: Resveratrol demonstrates beneficial and protective effects in AD models and seems to provide a promising therapeutic alternative. Conclusion: Although resveratrol appears to mitigate some pathophysiological aspects of AD, further studies are needed to prove the safety and efficacy of this compound in humans.

RESUMO Introdução: A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é neurodegenerativa e caracterizada por perda progressiva e irreversível da função cognitiva. A presença de placas senis é um dos marcadores patológicos da doença e está associada ao aparecimento de mecanismos neuroinflamatórios. A fisiopatologia exata da DA ainda não é completamente compreendida, e ainda não existem terapias curativas. O resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihidroxi-trans-estilbeno) é um polifenol conhecido por suas propriedades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórias. Objetivo: Revisar o papel do resveratrol nos aspectos fisiopatológicos da DA. Métodos: Este estudo realizou uma revisão narrativa da literatura a partir das bases de dados PubMed/Medline, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Web of Science, SCOPUS e Cochrane Library. Foram incluídos artigos originais, realizados in vitro e in vivo, publicados entre 2008 e 2018. Resultados: Foram identificados 667 artigos, dos quais 619 foram excluídos por estarem repetidos ou não se enquadrarem nos critérios de inclusão. O presente estudo inclui os 48 artigos restantes. Discussão: O resveratrol demonstra efeitos benéficos e protetores em modelos de DA, bem como parece fornecer uma alternativa terapêutica promissora. Conclusão: Embora o resveratrol pareça atenuar alguns aspectos fisiopatológicos da DA, são necessários mais estudos para comprovar a segurança e a eficácia deste composto em seres humanos.

Resveratrol in Alzheimer's disease: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutic potential.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of cognitive function. The presence of senile plaques is one of the pathological markers of the disease and is associated with the onset of neuroinflammatory mechanisms. The exact pathophysiology of AD has not been completely understood, and there are no curative therapies yet. Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a polyphenol that is noted for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVE: To review the role of resveratrol in the pathophysiological aspects of AD. METHODS: This study carried out a literature review using PubMed/Medline, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Sciences, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library databases. Original research articles, describing both in vitro and in vivo experiments, published between 2008 and 2018, were included. RESULTS: We identified 667 articles, of which 619 were excluded because they were repeated or did not follow the inclusion criteria. The present study includes the remaining 48 articles. DISCUSSION: Resveratrol demonstrates beneficial and protective effects in AD models and seems to provide a promising therapeutic alternative. CONCLUSION: Although resveratrol appears to mitigate some pathophysiological aspects of AD, further studies are needed to prove the safety and efficacy of this compound in humans.