Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol: Focus on its Effect on Leukemia
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
- 2Dental and Periodontal Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- 3Department of Dental Biomaterials, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- 4Department of Hematology, School of Allied Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Abstract
Over the past decade, resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound present in peanuts, grapes, and berries has attracted significant scientific attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties. As a member of the phytoalexin family, resveratrol exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects, making it a promising therapeutic candidate in a variety of disease models. It is also worth noting that resveratrol exerts antioxidant activities in healthy cells, whereas it exerts pro-oxidant effects in cancer cells. This review provides an in-depth overview of the pharmacokinetic profile and molecular mechanisms of resveratrol and signaling pathways (such as NF-kB, STAT3, or Akt/mTOR), with a particular focus on its therapeutic potential for the treatment of leukemia. We conducted an extensive literature review of preclinical and experimental studies investigating the biological effects of resveratrol on leukemia. Emphasis was placed on elucidating its mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and interactions with key molecular targets involved in leukemogenesis and tumor progression. Resveratrol has demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects in various leukemia models, primarily through the modulation of cell-cycle regulators, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis. Recent findings suggest that resveratrol may enhance the efficiency of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs by sensitizing leukemic cells to oxidative stress and apoptotic signaling pathways. Given its ability to modulate key oncogenic pathways and sensitize malignant cells to chemotherapy, resveratrol holds considerable promise as an adjunctive agent in leukemia treatment. Despite its broad-spectrum antileukemic efficacy in vitro, the poor oral bioavailability and rapid hepatic metabolism of resveratrol remain primary bottlenecks hindering its clinical translation. To overcome these pharmacokinetic obstacles and preserve its therapeutic efficacy, advanced nanoformulations (such as liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles) are currently being developed, bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical application. Given that previous reports on resveratrol in hematological malignancies and mechanisms were scattered, inconsistent, and limited, this review aims to integrate and make them more complete. Future clinical studies are warranted to confirm its efficacy and optimize its therapeutic application in combination therapies for hematologic malignancies.
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BibTeX
@article{tabei2026mechanisms,
title = {{Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol: Focus on its Effect on Leukemia}},
author = {Tina Tabei and Simin Sharifi and Fatemeh Mezginejad},
journal = {OncoTargets and Therapy},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/ott.s624444},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2147/ott.s624444},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol: Focus on its Effect on Leukemia
AU - Tina Tabei
AU - Simin Sharifi
AU - Fatemeh Mezginejad
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - OncoTargets and Therapy
DO - 10.2147/ott.s624444
UR - https://doi.org/10.2147/ott.s624444
AB - Over the past decade, resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound present in peanuts, grapes, and berries has attracted significant scientific attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties. As a member of the phytoalexin family, resveratrol exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects, making it a promising therapeutic candidate in a variety of disease models. It is also worth noting that resveratrol exerts antioxidant activities in healthy cells, whereas it exerts pro-oxidant effects in cancer cells. This review provides an in-depth overview of the pharmacokinetic profile and molecular mechanisms of resveratrol and signaling pathways (such as NF-kB, STAT3, or Akt/mTOR), with a particular focus on its therapeutic potential for the treatment of leukemia. We conducted an extensive literature review of preclinical and experimental studies investigating the biological effects of resveratrol on leukemia. Emphasis was placed on elucidating its mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and interactions with key molecular targets involved in leukemogenesis and tumor progression. Resveratrol has demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects in various leukemia models, primarily through the modulation of cell-cycle regulators, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis. Recent findings suggest that resveratrol may enhance the efficiency of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs by sensitizing leukemic cells to oxidative stress and apoptotic signaling pathways. Given its ability to modulate key oncogenic pathways and sensitize malignant cells to chemotherapy, resveratrol holds considerable promise as an adjunctive agent in leukemia treatment. Despite its broad-spectrum antileukemic efficacy in vitro, the poor oral bioavailability and rapid hepatic metabolism of resveratrol remain primary bottlenecks hindering its clinical translation. To overcome these pharmacokinetic obstacles and preserve its therapeutic efficacy, advanced nanoformulations (such as liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles) are currently being developed, bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical application. Given that previous reports on resveratrol in hematological malignancies and mechanisms were scattered, inconsistent, and limited, this review aims to integrate and make them more complete. Future clinical studies are warranted to confirm its efficacy and optimize its therapeutic application in combination therapies for hematologic malignancies.
SN - 1178-6930
ER -