3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid is a kind of phenolic acids and a natural secondary metabolite, which can be found in fruits, vegetables, hibiscus flowers, tea and other foods and plants. It is also a major internal metabolite of anthocyanins and other polyphenols. 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid is a white to brown crystalline powder, soluble in hot water, ethanol, ether, acetone, and ethyl acetate. Storage of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid needs to be sealed to avoid long-term exposure to the air, so as not to cause eye color changes.
3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid can play a variety of biological activities, not only has antibacterial effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, Escherichia coli, but also can inhibit the metabolism of cancer cells and weaken their invasion ability. And promote the apoptosis of cancer cells, therefore, can achieve a certain anti-cancer effect.
