3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid

3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), also known as alpha-resorcylic acid, is a phenolic acid and a structural isomer of resorcylic acid. In pharmacological research, it is primarily utilized as a selective agonist for the hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1), also known as GPR81 or the lactate receptor. HCAR1 is a G protein-coupled receptor that is highly expressed in adipocytes and various cancer cells, where it typically responds to L-lactate. Research indicates that activation of HCAR1 by DHBA can lead to the up-regulation of the ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) transporter, a key mediator of multidrug resistance. This mechanism has been specifically linked to increased chemoresistance against agents such as doxorubicin in cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells, suggesting that HCAR1 signaling plays a significant role in cancer cell survival and drug efflux.

Other names

DHBAalpha-Resorcylic acid3,5-DHBA