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Resveratrol is one of the most studied natural substances, mainly for the prophylaxis of cancer. The molecule is found in grapes and red wine. Previous studies conducted in the laboratory and in laboratory animals have shown that it can protect against certain cancers of the digestive tract.
However, resveratrol does not seem appropriate for the prevention of lung cancer because, once absorbed, it is metabolized in minutes and therefore does not reach a satisfactory amount in the lungs. However, a Swiss study now shows that this obstacle can be overcome.
A team of scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) administered a nasal formulation and achieved promising results in a study conducted on mice and published in Scientific Reports.
"We have tried to prevent lung cancer caused by a carcinogen found in cigarette smoke by using resveratrol, a molecule already well documented, in mouse models," said Muriel Cuendet, assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine. pharmacology of UNIGE.
The 26-week study divided 12 mice into four groups.
• The first group received neither the carcinogen nor the treatment (resveratrol).
• The second only received carcinogen.
• The third received both a carcinogen and a treatment.
• The fourth only received treatment.
Resveratrol was taken three times a week, about 60 mg per kilogram of body weight. The researchers developed a formulation in which resveratrol could dissolve in large quantities – though not very soluble in water – to allow nasal administration and reach the lungs.
The concentration of resveratrol obtained in the lungs after nasal administration of the formulation was 22-fold higher than that taken orally. By comparing the groups exposed to the carcinogenic substance, the resveratrol-treated mice showed a 27% decrease in the multiplicity of cancerous tumors, with lower volumes of 45%.
By comparing the groups not exposed to the carcinogen, 63% of the resveratrol-treated mice did not show cancer, compared to 12.5% of the mice in the other group.
After that, Cuendet said that resveratrol could play a proactive role against lung cancer. "This study presents an effective way to overcome the low oral bioavailability of resveratrol by encouraging reassessment of its use in future clinical trials," the researchers wrote. The research team will now focus on finding a biomarker that can help select people eligible for resveratrol preventive therapy.
However, Cuendet did not seem very optimistic about the conclusion of the study, saying that the discovery unfortunately had no economic interest for private companies, because the molecule could not be patented. To prove that resveratrol can protect humans from lung cancer, many years of education are needed and there must be an economic incentive to do so.
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