Scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that resveratrol - a phenolic compound found in grapes and cocoa - has antiviral effects. This is reported on the MedicalXpress website.
The researchers added the chemical compound to human cell cultures infected with vaccinia virus. This infectious agent is related to the dangerous variola virus, but is not so deadly, which makes it convenient as a model object. It turned out that the high level of resveratrol in the cells prevented the multiplication of viruses in the early stages of infection.
Experiments in monkeys have shown that resveratrol is also effective against the monkeypox virus, which affects primates, including humans. The disease ends in the death of ten percent of patients.
In November 2017, researchers at the University of Exeter in England showed that resveratrol affects the activity of splicing factors, normalizing the maturation process of mRNA. It promotes cell rejuvenation and life extension. In addition, resveratrol helps burn calories and convert white adipose tissue into useful brown adipose tissue.
Resveratrol is a substance secreted by some plants to protect against parasites such as bacteria or fungi.
