Resveratrol inhibits the growth of tumor cells under chronic stress via the ADRB‑2‑HIF‑1α axis.

Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol that is abundantly present in knotweed and grapes, and has been confirmed to have tumor‑inhibitory properties. However, the effect of resveratrol on tumor cells under chronic stress conditions remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that resveratrol exerts a significant inhibitory effect on the growth and proliferation of tumor cells under chronic stress in a dose‑dependent manner. Furthermore, resveratrol was able to induce apoptosis of cancer cells under chronic stress conditions. Moreover, resveratrol was found to inhibit tumor cells under chronic stress by decreasing the expression of the β2‑adrenergic receptor (ADRB‑2); in addition, the protein expression of hypoxia‑inducible factor (HIF)‑1α was suppressed by resveratrol in a dose‑dependent manner. Thus, these data suggest that resveratrol inhibits the growth of cancer cells under chronic stress by regulating the ADRB‑2‑HIF‑1α axis. In summary, the present study may provide a new basis supporting the use of resveratrol for the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.