Safety and pharmacokinetics of a highly bioavailable resveratrol preparation (JOTROL (TM))

Resveratrol exhibits a wide range of biological properties, including anti-glycation, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, neuroprotective (including against advanced dementia and Alzheimer’s disease), anti-cancer, and anti-aging activity in experimental models (Galiniak et al., Acta Biochim Pol 66:13-21, 2019). Unfortunately, this compound exhibits low bioavailability and solubility (Galiniak et al., Acta Biochim Pol 66:13-21, 2019), requiring large doses that can cause nausea and GI distress. JOTROL(TM) is a micellar 10% resveratrol solubilization formulation that is thought to increase bioavailability of resveratrol via lymphatic system absorption. Jupiter Neurosciences (formerly Jupiter Orphan Therapeutics; “Jupiter”) is pursuing the use of resveratrol in mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS 1), Friedreich’s ataxia, and Alzheimer’s disease/mild cognitive impairment. This paper describes a first in human study (FIH) to evaluate the bioavailability of resveratrol after ascending, single oral doses up to 700 mg resveratrol as JOTROL(TM). After a single 500 mg dose of JOTROL(TM), a Cmax of 455 ng/mL was observed, vs. 85 ng/mL Cmax after a 1 g encapsulated dose (Turner et al., Neurology 85:1383-91, 2015) and 1942 ng/mL after a 2.5 g micronized dose (Howells et al., Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 4:1419-1425, 2011). In this study, resveratrol exposures (AUCs and Cmax) increased with increasing doses. This increase appears to be higher than dose-proportional for AUC(0-t) and Cmax. Resveratrol and its three major conjugates accounted for 40 to 55% of the dose in urine, consistent with a high extent of absorption, but < 1% of drug-related material was intact relative to key metabolites in plasma and urine. Studies in Alzheimer’s patients and in MPS 1 are currently in development to test the effect this improved bioavailability has on those patient populations (Clintrials.gov, NCT04668274, 12/16/2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04668274). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41120-022-00058-1.