Research Article

Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy

Volume: 30 Number: 3 May 11, 2026

Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy

Abstract

The “French Paradox” describes an epidemiological association between resveratrol (RSV) consumption and reduced incidence of certain chronic diseases. However, consuming large amounts of wine for one epidemiological reason, would be inappropriate due to the alcohol toxicity. Since RSV has poor pharmacokinetics, this study aimed to synthesize novel RSV ester derivatives, elucidate their structures, and evaluate their in vitro toxicity and transmembrane prodrug potential. For that purpose, considering the carbonate anion which is not a foreigner to the body, RSV carbonate esters were designed and synthesized. Then, the toxicity, IC50 values, and phase-I metabolic stability of the synthesized compounds were tested. Finally, the transmembrane properties of RSV carbonate esters were tested through a Franz Cell study. The results demonstrated that esterification of RSV hydroxyl groups markedly reduced intrinsic biological activity, consistent with the expected behavior of prodrug forms. Among the synthesized derivatives, compound 2 exhibited favorable release properties; however, its excessive metabolic stability limited efficient conversion to RSV, reducing its suitability for further development, whereas the other derivative was identified as a promising candidate for subsequent studies.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Bahadir BULBUL reports financial support and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by This study was finanted by the Düzce University Scientific Research Projects Coordinator with project number 2022.14.02.1357.

Project Number

Düzce University Scientific Research Projects Coordinator with project number 2022.14.02.1357

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the institution for its contributions. The authors would also like to thank Prof. Dr. Haydar GÖKSU (Duzce University Kaynasli Vocational School) for the use of laboratory facilities. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 11, 2026

Submission Date

December 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 30 Number: 3

APA
Bülbül, B., Birgül, K., İlhan, M., Oral, D., Coşkun Şahin, G. P., Polat, D., Altıntaş Gündüz, D., & Erdönmez, D. (2026). Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 30(3), 795-811. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1839587
AMA
1.Bülbül B, Birgül K, İlhan M, et al. Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30(3):795-811. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1839587
Chicago
Bülbül, Bahadır, Kaan Birgül, Miray İlhan, et al. 2026. “Enhancing the Transmembrane Permeability of Resveratrol through a Prodrug Strategy”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 (3): 795-811. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1839587.
EndNote
Bülbül B, Birgül K, İlhan M, Oral D, Coşkun Şahin GP, Polat D, Altıntaş Gündüz D, Erdönmez D (May 1, 2026) Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 3 795–811.
IEEE
[1]B. Bülbül et al., “Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 795–811, May 2026, doi: 10.12991/jrespharm.1839587.
ISNAD
Bülbül, Bahadır - Birgül, Kaan - İlhan, Miray - Oral, Didem - Coşkun Şahin, Göknil Pelin - Polat, Duygu - Altıntaş Gündüz, Dudu - Erdönmez, Demet. “Enhancing the Transmembrane Permeability of Resveratrol through a Prodrug Strategy”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30/3 (May 1, 2026): 795-811. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1839587.
JAMA
1.Bülbül B, Birgül K, İlhan M, Oral D, Coşkun Şahin GP, Polat D, Altıntaş Gündüz D, Erdönmez D. Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30:795–811.
MLA
Bülbül, Bahadır, et al. “Enhancing the Transmembrane Permeability of Resveratrol through a Prodrug Strategy”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 30, no. 3, May 2026, pp. 795-11, doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1839587.
Vancouver
1.Bahadır Bülbül, Kaan Birgül, Miray İlhan, Didem Oral, Göknil Pelin Coşkun Şahin, Duygu Polat, Dudu Altıntaş Gündüz, Demet Erdönmez. Enhancing the transmembrane permeability of resveratrol through a prodrug strategy. J. Res. Pharm. 2026 May 1;30(3):795-811. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1839587