Phenolic acids are one of the most important classes of polyphenols.
They occur naturally in the vegetal world:
- whole grains
- nuts
- coffee
- berries
- tea
These compounds have different functions and are immensely important in the interactions and symbiosis of plants. Phenolic compounds act as signaling molecules and can act as agents in defense of plants (1).
They are found not only in many plants, but also in honey.
Among the phenolic acids we find acids with interesting healing properties.
- Acetylsalicylic acid
properties: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
- Caffeic acid
properties: anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic,
- Chlorogenic acid
Properties: anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antioxidant, antiepileptic, anti-apoptotic
- Ellagic acid
properties: antioxidant, attenuator of neuropathic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory pain
- Phenylethyl ester of caffeic acid
properties: antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, antitumor
- Ferulic acid
properties: antidepressant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic
- Gallic acid
properties: antioxidant, antidepressant, cytotoxic, anticancer
- Homovanillic acid
properties: antidepressant
- P-Coumaric acid
properties: anticancer
- Rosmarinic acid
properties: antioxidant, antiepileptic, antidepressant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory
- Protocatechuic acid
properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
- Salicylic acid
properties: antioxidant
- Synapic acid
properties: attenuator of neuropathic pain
- Syringic acid
properties: antioxidant
- Tannic acid
properties: antioxidant
References_______________________________________________________
(1) Phenolic acids act as signaling molecules in plant-microbe symbioses
Santi M Mandal, Dipjyoti Chakraborty, Satyahari Dey
Plant Signal Behav. 2010 Apr; 5(4): 359–368.
