Buffalo, NY--Resveratrol, a plant compound found in the skin and seeds of grapes and berries, displays anti-stress effects that open door for new treatments for depression, anxiety, according to areleasefrom the  University at Buffalo announcing the findings of a study published in the journalNeuropharmacology.

The University at Buffalo-led study revealed that resveratrol works to block the expression of an enzyme (phosphodiesterase 4; PDE4) that is related to the control of stress in the brain .Resveratrol displayed neuroprotective effects against corticosterone by inhibiting the expression of PDE4--and this, the researchers said, lays the groundwork for the use of resveratrol in novel antidepressants.
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“Resveratrol may be an effective alternative to drugs for treating patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders,” Ying Xu, MD, PhD, co-lead author and research associate professor in the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, said in the release. The release also noted that while red wine contains resveratrol, consumption of alcohol carries various health risks, including addiction.

Previous researchfrom the University of Buffalo has investigated the role of resveratrol supplements in suppressing inflammation and free radicals in humans. In that study, participants took a supplement containing 40 mg of resveratrol once a day for six weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected as the start of the trial and at weeks one, three and six. The result: Resveratrol was shown to suppress the generation of free radicals and of the inflammatory protein tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and other similar compounds that increase inflammation in blood vessels and interfere with insulin action, causing insulin resistance and the risk of developing diabetes.