Caffeic
Caffeic acid is a type of organic compound that is classified as a hydroxycinnamic acid. It is a naturally occurring phenol that is found in a variety of plant species. Caffeic acid is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of lignin, which is a type of complex organic polymer that provides structural support in plants.
Structure and properties[edit | edit source]
Caffeic acid is a crystalline compound that is slightly soluble in water. It has a molecular formula of C9H8O4 and a molecular weight of 180.16 g/mol. The compound has a melting point of 223-225 °C and a boiling point of 365.1 °C at 760 mmHg. The structure of caffeic acid consists of a benzene ring with a carboxylic acid group and a hydroxyl group attached to it.
Biosynthesis[edit | edit source]
Caffeic acid is biosynthesized in plants through the phenylpropanoid pathway. This pathway involves the conversion of phenylalanine into cinnamic acid by the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia lyase. Cinnamic acid is then hydroxylated by cinnamate 4-hydroxylase to form p-coumaric acid, which is further hydroxylated by coumarate 3-hydroxylase to produce caffeic acid.
Biological activity[edit | edit source]
Caffeic acid has been found to exhibit a variety of biological activities. It has antioxidant properties and can scavenge free radicals, thereby protecting cells from oxidative damage. Caffeic acid also has anti-inflammatory effects and can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, it has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a range of bacteria and fungi.
Health effects[edit | edit source]
Several studies have suggested that caffeic acid may have potential health benefits. It has been found to have anticancer properties and can inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells. Caffeic acid may also have cardioprotective effects and can protect against heart disease. However, more research is needed to fully understand the health effects of caffeic acid.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Caffeic Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
