Resveratrol for the Management of Diabetes and its Downstream Pathologies.

Over the past 10 years more than 10,000 papers and investigations have been published that identify or analyse various critical pathways and biological processes through which the phytoalexin resveratrol has been shown to attenuate the metabolic dysfunctions, acute symptomatology and the consequential downstream pathologies related to type 2 diabetes. More recently, several clinical trials have confirmed resveratrol's potential to substantially enhance the therapeutic effects of the pharmaceutical metformin hydrochloride, particularly related to glucose management, insulin sensitivity and cardioprotection. Metformin is the most commonly prescribed type 2 diabetes treatment worldwide; consequently, any compound with the ability to safely and effectively augment its therapeutic effects warrants intensive investigation. This paper elucidates the principal modes of action that underly resveratrol's promising potential as an effective adjunct treatment for patients currently being administered metformin.