Resveratrol is a polyphenol that can be found in various plants, including grapes. Wines therefore also contain this compound. The famous phenomenon, named "French paradox" is considered to be an effect of resveratrol: the regular, modest consumption of red wine causes low incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Resveratrol is also reported to have anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and several further beneficial effects. As yet, resveratrol is not a registered drug in Hungary; nevertheless it is a common food supplement. Paradoxically, this is the very danger of its use: it can have harmful side-effects with several drugs. The bioavailability of resveratrol is, however, not favorable, due to its poor water-solubility and extensive metabolism. Our current knowledge is still far from being sufficient to understand its mode of action at a molecular level. Only a few of the most important physicochemical properties has been determined so far. The two major directions of pharmaceutical research of resveratrol are the elaboration of formulation systems that can improve the water solubility; the other is the development of analogous agents of enhanced effects.