The 3,4-dihydroxyl groups are important for trans-resveratrol analogs to exhibit enhanced antioxidant and apoptotic activities.

We compared the abilities of trans-resveratrol and seven analogs to inhibit an azo compound-induced peroxidation of linoleic acid in vitro and to induce apoptosis in cultured human leukemia cells. The results showed that both the antioxidant and apoptotic activities of the analogs containing 3,4-dihydroxyl groups were significantly higher than those of the trans-resveratrol and the other analogs. Hence, the 3,4-dihydroxyl groups were important for trans-resveratrol analogs to exhibit concurrent high antioxidant and apoptotic activities.