Resveratrol in the Therapy and Prevention of Parkinson’s Disease: Prospects and Limitations

Introduction. Resveratrol represents a promising natural compound for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease; however, the evidence from systematic analyses of research findings in the literature remains insufficiently elucidated. The objective of this work is to systematize the data on the therapeutic effects of resveratrol and its mechanisms of action in Parkinson’s disease, and to evaluate the prospects for its application in clinical practice, alongside the associated challenges and potential resolutions. Materials and methods. Of the 130 literature sources identified from the Medline and PubMed databases, 40 were selected for inclusion in this review. The analysis and systematization of the current data were performed based on the following inclusion criteria: studies involving the exclusive use of resveratrol, in vivo models of Parkinson's disease in rodents, and human clinical trials. Results. It has been established that resveratrol demonstrates efficacy in animal models of Parkinson's disease, as demonstrated by improved motor function, reduced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, and decreased levels of inflammatory and pro-apoptotic markers. The most significant mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection are associated with neuronal antioxidant defence, the activation of sirtuins involving associated signalling pathways for apoptosis regulation, the modulation of autophagy, anti-inflammatory activity, and the suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction. Discussion and conclusion. A substantial body of evidence exists for resveratrol’s efficacy in Parkinson’s disease, primarily derived from pre-clinical studies; however, the number of clinical trials remains limited. Nevertheless, the existence of ongoing clinical investigations into resveratrol for Parkinson’s disease patients signifies considerable scientific interest in this compound for neurodegenerative disorders. For the widespread clinical implementation of resveratrol to be realized, the challenge of its low oral bioavailability must be addressed, and large-scale, randomized controlled trials must be conducted. This synthesized information will be valuable for planning future pre-clinical and clinical research on the anti-parkinsonian efficacy of resveratrol.