Resveratrol improves disease activity and quality of life in people with ulcerative colitis, study shows

• Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 56 adults with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis
• Supplementation consists of trans-resveratrol (500 mg/day) for 6 weeks
• Resveratrol significantly increases body’s antioxidant status, reduces disease activity and improves quality of life measures
• Treatment is well tolerated with no adverse effects reported

Summary 

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed to examine the antioxidant effect of resveratrol for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its related oxidative stress.

For this study, researchers randomly assigned 56 non-obese men and women, mean age 37-39 years, with mild-to-moderate active UC, to one of two treatment groups: placebo or trans-resveratrol (500 mg/day) for 6 weeks.

Disease activity, as measured by the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index Questionnaire (SCCAIQ), quality of life, as measured by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire-9 (IBDQ-9), and oxidative stress, as measured by serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were measured before and after the intervention.

Data analysis (based on intention to treat) included the 56 enrolled participants. Three participants withdrew from the study before completion for reasons unrelated to treatment. No treatment-related adverse effects were reported, indicating resveratrol was well tolerated.

Compared to placebo, resveratrol treatment significantly (P<.001) increased the serum level of SOD (122.28 ± 11.55 to 125.77 ± 10.97) and TAC (9.87 ± 1.51-11.97 ± 1.61) as well as significantly (P<.001) decreased the serum level of MDA (5.62 ± 1.18-3.42 ± 1.01). Likewise, the IBDQ-9 score significantly increased, whereas the SCCAI score significantly decreased in the resveratrol group compared to placebo (P<.001).

These findings indicate that trans-resveratrol (500 mg/day for 6 weeks) improves disease activity and quality of life in patients with UC in part by reducing oxidative stress and increasing the body’s antioxidant capacity.

The authors note that, by serving as an excellent antioxidant in the intestine, resveratrol helps decrease the production of reactive oxygen species, which results in less production of inflammatory cytokines and helps prevent disease relapse.