A plant compound found in red wine is related to the control of stress in the brain, a new study has revealed.
The research show how compound known as resveratrol impacts neurological processes by displaying anti-stress effects by blocking the expression of an enzyme that controls stress.
The study published in the Neuropharmacology Journal further revealed several health benefits of the compound that is found in the skin and seeds of grapes and berries.
“Resveratrol may be an effective alternative to drugs for treating patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders,” says Ying Xu, MD, PhD, co-lead author of the study.
However, the researchers were unable to understand the the compound’s relationship to phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), an enzyme influenced by the stress hormone corticosterone.
The stress hormone corticosterone regulates the body’s response to stress. Too much stress, however, can lead to excessive amounts of the hormone circulating in the brain and, ultimately, the development of depression or other mental disorders.
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In a study on mice, researchers revealed that PDE4, induced by excessive amounts of corticosterone, causes depression and anxiety like behavior.
The enzyme lowers cyclic adenosine monophosphate a messenger molecule that signals physiological changes such as cell division, change, migration and death in the body, leading to physical alterations in the brain.
Resveratrol displayed neuroprotective effects against corticosterone by inhibiting the expression of PDE4. The research lays the groundwork for the use of the compound in novel antidepressants.
Although red wine contains resveratrol, consumption of alcohol carries various health risks, including addiction.
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