CAFFEIC ACID ESTERS: SYNTHETIC METHODOLOGIES, ANTICANCER AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES

Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA) and derivatives are well-known phenolic compounds ubiquitous in plants, showing relevant antioxidant properties as well as cytotoxicity toward several tumor cell lines. They can inhibit cell growth in a manner strongly dependent on their structural properties. Caffeic acid (CA) is one of the most widely distributed hydroxycinnamate and phenylpropanoid metabolites in plant tissues and agricultural wastes. Caffeic acid and its esters have a variety of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-HIV, anti-influenza and antimalarial activities. In most cases, the synthesis of alkyl esters can significantly improve their function. This review is an overview of the available information about the chemical synthesis, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of caffeic acid esters. Considering the relevance of these compounds in human health, many of them have been the focus of reviews, taking as a center their obtaining from the plants. There are few revisions that compile the chemical synthesis methods, in this way, we consider that this review does an important contribution.