epsilon-Viniferin facts for kids

A picture of the ε-Viniferin molecule.

ε-Viniferin (pronounced "epsilon-vin-IF-er-in") is a natural chemical found in plants. It belongs to a group of chemicals called stilbenoids. Think of it as a special type of resveratrol, which is another well-known plant chemical. In fact, ε-Viniferin is a "dimer" of resveratrol, meaning it's made of two resveratrol units joined together.

You can find ε-Viniferin in several places:

• In Vitis vinifera grapevines, which are the common grape plants used to make wine.
• In wine itself.
• In an Asian medicinal plant called Vitis coignetiae.
• In the bark of a tree called Dryobalanops aromatica.

There's also a slightly different version called cis-ε-viniferin, which is found in the plant Paeonia lactiflora (a type of peony flower).

Scientists are interested in ε-Viniferin because it can affect how certain important chemicals, called cytochrome P450 enzymes, work in the human body. These enzymes are like tiny helpers that process many things in our bodies, including medicines. ε-Viniferin can slow down or "inhibit" their activity, which means it might have uses in health or medicine in the future.

Images for kids

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  A picture of the ε-Viniferin molecule.

See also

In Spanish: Epsilon-Viniferina para niños