Resveratrol: biology, metabolism, and detrimental role on the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer.

This article focuses on the therapeutic potential of resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic stilbene found in fruits and vegetables, in inhibiting colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR). Resveratrol exerts anti-cancer effects by targeting multiple dysregulated signaling pathways—including PI3K/Akt/Kras, NF-κB, and STAT3—and modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of CRC. Despite its poor bioavailability due to rapid metabolism, various analogues and novel formulations of resveratrol have been developed to enhance its stability and efficacy. Clinical trials and preclinical studies suggest that resveratrol, alone or as an adjuvant in combination therapies, may improve chemotherapeutic outcomes by sensitizing CRC cells, reducing side effects, and inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis.