Compositions and pharmaceutical compositions including a dendrimer-resveratrol complex and methods for making and using the compositions are described herein. Methods of treating cancer, cardiovascular disease, cardiac failure, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other brain diseases, fatty liver disease, obesity, cataracts, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, sleep disorders, acoustic trauma, inflammatory disease, psoriasis, arthritis, colitis, aging, viral disease, reproductive disease, and skin conditions or disorders including administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compositions to a subject in need are also provided. The compositions may be topically applied to skin or mucous membranes.