Evidence supporting the use of: Resveratrol
For the health condition: Diabetic Retinopathy

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in grapes, berries, and peanuts, has attracted scientific interest for its potential protective effects against diabetic retinopathy (DR), a serious microvascular complication of diabetes. Preclinical studies, primarily in animal models and in vitro experiments, suggest that resveratrol exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties that could be beneficial in the context of DR. Specifically, resveratrol has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression (a key factor in pathological retinal neovascularization), and suppress inflammatory cytokine production in retinal cells. Some studies also report that resveratrol may help preserve the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier and reduce retinal cell death under diabetic conditions. However, evidence from human clinical trials is currently very limited. Most of the supportive data comes from laboratory and animal research, with only a few small-scale or pilot human studies exploring resveratrol's effects in patients with diabetes, and even fewer directly addressing diabetic retinopathy. Thus, while there is a plausible scientific rationale for resveratrol’s potential benefit in DR, robust clinical evidence is lacking. As such, resveratrol is not yet established as a standard or recommended therapy for diabetic retinopathy, and its use for this purpose should be considered experimental pending further clinical research.

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