Caffeic acid exists in a variety of foods and Chinese medicinal materials. In addition, it also exists in the secondary metabolites of plants. This is an organic acid, which can be formed from phenylalanine to cinnamic acid after deamination in plants, and then derived into caffeic acid. In the caffeic acid molecule, its main active site is the o-diphenol hydroxyl group on the benzene ring, which makes it show certain characteristics. The stronger the electron absorption ability of the substituted group on the benzene ring, the stronger its biological activity.
Caffeic acid has anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anti-oxidation, antiviral, and antibacterial functions. It is widely used as a safe and effective raw material in medicine, health products, feed, cosmetics, and other fields. Among them, it is used as pharmaceutical intermediates and pharmaceutical raw materials for relieving or treating various diseases in the pharmaceutical field.
With the study of caffeic acid for many years, the biological activity of caffeic acid has been widely concerned and its application has been increasing.