The Metabolic Characteristics and Bioavailability of Resveratrol Based on Metabolic Enzymes

Abstract The natural polyphenol resveratrol (RV) has garnered fame for its extensive pharmacological properties. Although clinical studies have shown some positive results, many contradictory outcomes remain. An important obstacle to the development of therapeutic applications for RV is its low bioavailability in vivo. This may be partially attributed to biotransformation mediated by phase I and II enzymes, such as cytochrome P450s, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, and sulfotransferases. To date, more than 20 different types of metabolites have been detected after catalysis by these enzymes. Notably, RV and some of its metabolites serve as substrates for these enzymes. Conversely, RV can directly regulate the expression or activity of these enzymes. Given the increasing number of studies investigating the bioactivity of RV, this review summarizes its physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics and describes the metabolism of RV and the bioactivities of its metabolites, with emphasis on the interaction between RV and its related metabolic enzymes. In addition to hepatic metabolism, the crucial roles of RV metabolism in multiple other tissues and organs cannot be overlooked, and they reveal the relationship between RV metabolism and its biological potential.