Resveratrol is a phenol found in many plants and has recently been given serious attention by the biological community in terms of bioactivity.  A known antioxidant, resveratrol has been linked, in several studies, to therapeutic effects for ageing, cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular issues, to name a few.  A recent study conducted by researchers in Mexico has elucidated a novel role for resveratrol as an anticancer treatment.  In “Proteomic Profiling Reveals that Resveratrol Inhibits HSP27 Expression and Sensitizes Breast Cancer Cells to Doxorubicin Therapy” published in PLoS ONE, May 27 2013, the investigators exposed MCF-7 breast cancer cells to resveratrol and observed changes in sixteen proteins .  The exposure to resveratrol coincided with increased apoptosis of the cancer cells; indicating a possible causative relationship. To understand this, the researchers examined those proteins found to be altered by the presence of resveratrol.

Interestingly, HSP27 was found to be one of the proteins to be down-regulated when exposed to resveratrol. HSP27, a member of the heat shock protein family, is involved in protein homeostasis, cellular trafficking, signalling, thermo-tolerance and cellular survival.  Its roles are numerous and more investigation is required to deduce its complete activity and effects.  For example, when overexpressed, HSP27 is an inhibitor of apoptosis, helping cancer cells to survive.

The researchers of this study were able to prove and confirm that the exposure of cancer cells to resveratrol was responsible for the lowering of HSP27 levels by using HSP27-knockdown mice, among other methods.  Further, this HSP27-lowering effect induced higher rates of apoptosis, through the caspase-3 and -9 pathways in MCF-7 cancer cells.  They concluded that administering resveratrol with the DNA replication-inhibitor Doxorubicin, presents a powerful new development in the fight against cancer.

The original research paper was published in: PLoS ONE, May 27 2013

“Proteomic Profiling Reveals That Resveratrol Inhibits HSP27 Expression and Sensitizes Breast Cancer Cells to Doxorubicin Therapy.”

This study made use of the product Resveratrol and antibodies Hsp27. StressMarq Biosciences offers a range of antibodies to Hsp27. They also offer Resveratrol as one of their many small molecule products.