Resveratrol Shows Anti-Viral Properties – Swine Flu
From Wine Spectator Magazine:
Resveratrol Shows Anti-Viral Abilities
Italian study finds that the red-wine compound prevents viruses from replicating inside cells
Jacob Gaffney
Posted: September 30, 2009
Resveratrol, the polyphenolic compound found in red wine and the prominent focus of medical researchers, may be able to fight off viruses, according to a new Italian study. While the chemical has shown hints of anti-viral properties in previous studies, the new work shows that it appears to prevent virus replication at the cellular level. More research is needed to see how widespread the effect is.
Viruses, from the common cold to polio and the H1N1 “swine flu,” are infectious agents that can only reproduce inside the cells of a host, inserting their genetic material into the cells. The new study, published in the July issue of the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, finds that the polyomavirus is unable to hijack a cell for this purpose if resveratrol is around.
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