Description
Phenethyl caffeate is a compound found in propolis, a mixture produced by bees. Phenethyl caffeate exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, antioxidative, cardioprotective, anti-obesity, and anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. In vitro, phenethyl caffeate inhibits IL-1β-induced expression of IL-6, MCP-1, and ICAM-1, and suppresses phosphorylation of Akt and NF-κB. In vivo, phenethyl caffeate decreases levels of AST and lactate dehydrogenase and suppresses lipid peroxidation. Phenethyl caffeate also decreases body weight gain and fat mass in animal models fed a high fat diet, potentially by inhibiting adipogenesis. In other animal models, this compound inhibits 5-lipoxygenase and decreases blood pressure, collagen deposition, and other atherosclerotic biomarkers. In animal and cellular models of colorectal cancer, phenethyl caffeate induces apoptosis and inhibits cellular and tumor growth.