In this study, combinations of resveratrol with platinum drugs cisplatin and oxaliplatin were administered to human ovarian A2780, A2780(cisR) and A2780(ZD0473R) cell lines with the aim of offering a means of overcoming drug resistance. Cell viability was quantified using the 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Combination indices and dose response curves were used as measures of the combined drug action. Greatest synergism was observed when resveratrol was administered first followed by the platinum drug (cisplatin or oxaliplatin) 2 h later, and the least synergism was achieved when the two types of compounds were administered as a bolus. The results can be explained by assuming that the administration of resveratrol 2 h before the platinum drug may sensitize the ovarian cancer cells to platinum-induced apoptosis, thus providing a means of overcoming drug resistance. If the results are confirmed in vivo, they may be significant clinically.