Translating Resveratrol Research: A Systematic Review on Patents and Clinical Trials (2000–2025)

Resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxy-stilbene), a naturally occurring polyphenolic stilbenoid present in grapes, red wine, peanuts, and berries, has garnered immense scientific interest over the last two decades due to its multifaceted pharmacological properties. Its active trans-isomer (RSV) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-aging, anti-obesity, and anticancer effects by modulating many key molecular targets. Despite encouraging preclinical findings, the clinical translation of RSV has been hampered by poor systemic absorption, rapid metabolism, and low oral bioavailability.

This systematic review adheres to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and provides a comprehensive analysis of data obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Google Patents, and ClinicalTrials.gov, spanning the period from 2000 to 2025. The focus was on patents and clinical trials investigating RSV and its associated chemicals. Studies were selected based on their relevance to RSV's pharmacokinetic changes, therapeutic efficacy, and disease-specific applications.

We evaluated 162 studies in their totality, including preclinical trials, individual clinical trials, and patent investigations. The findings suggest that RSV may be beneficial in the management of chronic problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), inflammatory skin conditions, and some malignancies. Nanocarriers, liposomes, structural derivatives, and dietary preparations are new ways to deliver drugs that have been proven to be more effective. Clinical investigations substantiate its benefits in glycemic control, vascular function, weight loss, and modulation of inflammation. Specific outcomes demonstrate variability among diverse populations and treatment protocols.

The review stresses how RSV-based drugs are still getting better, especially with the addition of boronic acid analogues, combination formulations (such as those that include curcumin or flavonoids), and nanotechnology systems for administration. These groundbreaking ideas could improve stability, bioavailability, and function that is unique to certain diseases. Patent data show that RSV is more common in nutritional supplements, cosmetics, and drugs that are said to treat cancer, skin problems, digestive problems, and early aging. But there are still issues with dose optimization, differences among people, and regulatory constraints.

RSV and its compounds provide several therapeutic challenges while potentially facilitating holistic illness management. Their reliability, low cost, and diverse biological activities suggest significant promise for improving future healthcare. In addition, the growing number of patents and available clinical data further support their potential. However, continued research is needed to develop novel strategies for their field application and to better understand the relationship between their structure and biological activity.