Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
Open Access

Abstract

A Commentary on Resveratrol

Colman J

Resveratrol is a grape vine phenolic compound found in seventy two plant species. It was first discovered in 1939 and is classified as a stilbene because of its structure and termed a phytoalexin because of its protective effects against infections in plants. Resveratrol was named after Veratrum grandiflorum when it was isolated from the root of that vine. It is found in nature both in the cis-and trans-form, where the cisform predominates. As a supplement, resveratrol is extracted from the Japanese knotweed, or the Itadori plant.