The goal of this research project was to synthesize derivatives of transresveratrol. In order for resveratrol to be activated and used by the body it needs to bind to Human Serum Albumin (HSA), a protein in blood plasma. The derivatives were synthesized to improve the ability of resveratrol to enter cells as well as improve their ability to bind to HSA. The three derivatives that were synthesized have converted one of the hydroxyl groups on resveratrol to an ether with a methylene chain terminated by a carboxylic acid. By varying the lengths of the methylene chain we varied the water solubility of the resveratrol derivative. This brought the research closer to the goal of determining how this would affect the binding ability to HSA. Currently three derivatives have been synthesized and purified once by column chromatography.

Recently, the compound resveratrol has had media attention as an anti carcinogen. However, the bioavailability of resveratrol is low in the human system due to its hydrophobic nature. Therefore, it must be administered in high dosages to be effective. A plethora of derivatives have been synthesized that have the potential of resveratrol but sadly share low bioavailability. The first effort of this research was an attempt to produce a more hydrophilic ester of resveratrol. Failing this, the final product was synthesized using a glycine derivative to produce 4-[(1E)-2-(3,5-diacetyloxyphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl N-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-glycinate.

This study was focused on antiviral effects of stilbenoids against a virus transmitted by ticks. The cell viability of selected cell line cultures in the presence of various concentrations of stilbenoids was determined using the MTT assay. Similarly, the mixed effect of other known antiviral substances and stilbenoids was studied using the MTT assay. Both the prophylactic effects of stilbenoids on the infected culture cell lines and the effect on viral replication were examined. The viral titres from samples were determined using plaque assay. Some of the experiments were performed also in vivo using laboratory mice.

Resveratrol (RV) is a naturally occurring phytoalexin of the stilbenoid family produced by some plant species, and present in grape skin, peanuts, and red wine. It has been found to exhibit anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-aging, cardio protective, and anti-oxidant properties. Bioavailability is a huge setback that limits the potentials of RV. As a result, efforts have been made to design and synthesize RV esters and aliphatic acids in an attempt to increase its bioavailability, solubility in water, and possibly improving its biological activities. Resveratrol esters, 3,5,4'-triacetyloxystilbene (2) and Methyl 1,1',1''- (3,4',5-stilbenyl)-1,6-hexanedioate (3) have been synthesized. Compound 3 is a new compound, synthetic yield is 88%, and purity is above 95% based on NMR integration. Both 2 and 3 are good candidates for biological evaluation. 3 was used as a precursor in the synthesis of resveratrol aliphatic acid, 8-(3',5'-dihydroxylstilbene-4''-oxy)-3,6-dioxocotanoic acid (9). First, 2 was hydrolyzed to resveratrol diester, 3,5-diacetyloxystilbene (4). Mitsunobu reaction of 4 and methyl 8-hydroxy-3,6-dioxooctanoate (7) was then carried out to afford methyl 8-(3',5'-diacetyoxystilben-4''-oxy)-3.6-dioxooctanoate (/5), which was then hydrolyzed to afford 9 in total 43.6 % yield. Structures of all newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.