Abstract: Abstract: In this article, the finding、chemical structure、physical properties、the methods of extraction of resveratrol and effecting mechanism are reviewed. Structures of resvertrol include the cis- and trans- geometries, and the trans- geometry is the stable structure. The methods of extraction include percolation and heating flow back .The methods of purification include ODS column、TCL method and piceid in polygonum cuspidatum sieb﹒et﹒zicc. The methods of analysis include high performance liquid chromatography and solid-phase microextraction(SPME). Researches of resveratrol on pharonacologic fuinetion indicated that it can prevent human cancer、the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and thrombus, and it can prevent alzheimer disease. it also has the modulatory function in immune system. So its extensive application prospect caused attention in many ways.