Lipophilized resveratrol affects the generation of reactive nitrogen species in murine macrophages and cell viability of human cancer cell lines

Resveratrol was esterified with selected fatty acids to improve its lipophilicity and potential application in food and biological systems. In this study, resveratrol and monoesters of resveratryl propionate (RC3:0) and resveratryl docosahexaenate (RDHA) were examined for their effects on anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity in vitro. All test compounds showed a decreased nitrite production in murine RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Resveratrol, RC3:0, and RDHA were evaluated for their effects on cell viability using liver cancer (HepG2), colon cancer (HT-29, A431), breast cancer (MCF7), and gastric cancer (AGS) cell lines. All test compounds showed decreased cell viability of HepG2, A431, MCF7, HT-29, and AGS in a concentration-dependent manner. The results suggest that resveratrol esters may serve as potential anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agents.