Ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid or, in IUPAC nomenclature, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)prop-2-enoic acid) is a highly abundant phenolic phytochemical which is present in plant cell walls. It may have significant health benefits through its antioxidant and anti-cancer activity, and may also serve as a precursor in the manufacturing of useful aromatic compounds.

Ferulic acid is found in seeds of plants such as in brown rice, whole wheat and oats, as well as in coffee, apple, artichoke, peanut, orange and pineapple.

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Biosynthesis of ferulic acid is done by enzymatic oxidation of coniferyl alcohol.

Applications

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Medical

As an antioxidant, ferulic acid may neutralize free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS may be involved in DNA damage and accelerated cell aging.

Animal studies and in vitro studies suggest that ferulic acid may have direct antitumor activity against breast cancer and liver cancer . Ferulic acid may have pro-apoptotic effects in cancer cells, thereby leading to their destruction . Ferulic acid may be effective at preventing cancer induced by exposure to the carcinogenic compounds benzopyrene and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide . Note that these are not randomized controlled trials done with human participants, and therefore, the results of these studies may not be directly applicable to human use.

If added to a topical preparation of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, ferulic acid may reduce oxidative stress and formation of thymidine dimers in skin .

Industrial

Ferulic acid, being highly abundant, may be useful as a precursor in the manufacturing of vanillin, a synthetic flavoring agent often used in place of natural vanilla extract . However, biotechnological processes may be the most efficient method to use ferulic acid as a precursor , and as such, research is still ongoing.

References

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Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of selective phenolic acids on T47D human breast cancer cells: potential mechanisms of action. Breast Cancer Res. 2004; 6(2: R63-74. Epub 2003 Dec 15;

Role of NADPH oxidase-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species in the mechanism of apoptosis induced by phenolic acids in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Arch Pharm Res. 2005 Oct; 28(10): 1183-9;

Protective effects of ellagic acid and other plant phenols on benzo^*pyrene-induced neoplasia in mice. Carcinogenesis. 1983 Dec; 4(12): 1651-3;

Chemopreventive effects of ferulic acid on oral and rice germ on large bowel carcinogenesis. Anticancer Res. 1999 Sep-Oct; 19(5A): 3775-8;

Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin. J Invest Dermatol. 2005 Oct; 125(4): 826-32;

Ferulic acid: an antioxidant found naturally in plant cell walls and feruloyl esterases involved in its release and their applications. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2004; 24(2-3): 59-83;

Biotechnological production of vanillin. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2001 Aug; 56(3-4): 296-314;

See also

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• Sodium ferulate, a ferulic acid salt
• Caffeic acid
• Coumaric acid

Antioxidants | Phenols | Carboxylic acids | Phenylpropanoids