Resveratrol induces apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis in human breast cancer xenografts in vivo.

Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and wine, is considered a potential cancer chemopreventive agent. Resveratrol has been shown to induce transcription via both ERalpha and ERbeta. We observed significantly lower tumor growth, decreased angiogenesis, and increased apoptotic index in ERalpha- ERbeta+ MDA-MB-231 tumors in resveratrol-treated nude mice compared with controls. In vitro we found a significant increase in apoptosis in resveratrol-treated MDA-MB-231 cells in addition to significantly reduced extracellular levels of VEGF. This study supports the potential use of resveratrol as a chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancers.