Anti-inflammatory activities of resveratrol in the brain: Role of resveratrol in microglial activation

Neuroinflammation is an important contributor to pathogenesis of neurological disorders, with microglial activation as a hallmark of neuroinflammation. Microglia serve the role of immune surveillance under normal conditions, but after brain damage or exposure to inflammation, microglia are activated and secrete pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic mediators. Sustained production of these factors contributes to neuronal damage. Therefore, inhibition of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation may become a promising therapeutic target for neurological disorders. Resveratrol, a non-flavonoid polyphenol rich in red wine and grapes, has beneficial health effects from its antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, resveratrol has been shown to protect against various neurological disorders in experimental models, including brain ischemia, seizures, and neurodegenerative disease models. This minireview summarized the anti-inflammatory activities of resveratrol in the brain from both in vivo and in vitro studies, and highlighted the inhibition of activated microglia as a potential mechanism of neuroprotection. The release of various pro-inflammatory factors, the production of reactive oxygen species, and the activation of signal pathways leading to neuroinflammation were discussed in relation to microglial activation. Taken together, microglia are an important target for anti-inflammatory activities of resveratrol in the brain. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.