Resveratrol Absorption via Buccal Mucosa Delivery

Increasing the bioavailability of resveratrol by way of oral consumption in liquid form.

The absorption capabilities of standard form powdered resveratrol has been a target of many discussions among those researching resveratrol both clinically and personally. Like many supplements and pharmaceuticals, it is one thing to consume it, but is another for you to actually absorb and not disregard it as waste. This "problem" has caused many to try and find better ways to increase the bioavailability of resveratrol.

Resveratrol is rapidly metabolized by humans which makes for little absorption into our blood stream in it's basic trans form. In hopes to determine a better way to maximize bioavailability many have tried the following methods:

Transdermal Delivery: this method works by applying resveratrol directly to the skin via a lotion (cream) or by using a transdermal patch. The patch is becoming a very popular way to deliver medications. Most commonly used for the Nicotine Patch, it is also used for many other drugs.

Micronizing Resveratrol Particle Size: this is the act of refining the standard particle size of resveratrol to a much smaller size of under 10 microns (10um). In previous studies micronization of drugs improved both bioavailability and clinical efficacy.

Solution Mixed Delivery Systems: adding substances such as Tween 80 (also known as polysorbate 80), Quercetin, or Alcohol in a pre-mixed liquid or powder capsule form. Some studies have shown these methods increase absorption.

This leads us to the delivery method called Buccal Mucosa. Inside our mouths, and primarily on our cheek walls, we have mucous membranes. These membranes provide an absorption point for many different substances.

A recent study completed by researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia that will be published this upcoming September in, "Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research," discussed the absorption potentials of resveratrol from red wine consumption. In a report on the research by Forbes Magazine, professor Stephen Taylor states, "Most of the resveratrol in imbibed red wine does not reach the circulation."  Further, "Interestingly, absorption via the mucous membranes in the mouth can result in up to around 100 times the blood levels, if done slowly rather than simply gulping it down."

While this study uses Red Wine which contains much lower doses of resveratrol compared to that of pure supplements, it shows the potential benefits of the buccal delivery method.

Some questions have been raised throughout the research community whether or not there is sufficient surface area in the mouth to absorb large enough amounts of resveratrol. This also brings up the controversial topic of resveratrol dosage.  How much do we really need?  These questions will need to be answered to confirm buccal absorption as an improved method of delivering resveratrol into our blood stream.

Related Articles:

    Resveratrol Dosage: The Million Dollar Question!

    Resveratrol Scam: Warning and Consumer Alert!

Comments

[Lynne Butts]

Marcus, I have IBS, and would like to stay away from the Japanese Knotweed ingrediant. Also am on a fixed income, so I can't pay the $89 a month for RezMelts (had a trial sample from them).
Can you recommend any brands/sources for me?? Thanks, LynneB

[Jay Miller]

Here's a method that works for me anyway. I take a coffee filter, cut a rectangular square out of the center. I then take a trans-resveratrol (fairly high quality I'm assuming) capsule and open it. I then put the powder in the center of the filter paper, fold up the ends and then roll it up (much like a burrito). Then place it between my lips and gums. I keep that in my mouth (very un-noticable) for about an hour or two.

[MachineGhost]

Micronizing resveratrol will not improve its bioavailability because its bioavailability is not limited by its solubility and absorption.* All these expensive absorption-increasing gimmicks are basically about forcing a little bit more volume per unit of time through the same narrow hole of bioavailability. So buccal mucosa delivery is on the right track to bypass conjugation and there is already at least one resveratrol product utilizing nanotechnology for such an application.

* For example, while calcium glycinate is 205 times more soluble than calcium citrate, it is only 1.8 times more bioavailable.

[Galvan]

Both the post and the comment from MachineGhost give the answer. Micronized pills or capsules will only result in marginal increases in absorption, but will still not overcome metabolization. Buccal delivery is the right way of absorbing higher amounts of resveratrol and bypassing the metabolic effect of the liver. According to research, this method provides up to 250 times greater bioavailability in plasma. The brand mentioned by LynneB (rezmelts) provides buccal delivery because it melt in the mouth, and it's come down significantly in price. It only takes about a minute to dissolve, so it works better than Jay's coffee filter suggestion :).