caffeic acid phenethyl ester

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural polyphenolic compound, specifically the ester of caffeic acid and phenethyl alcohol. It is a major bioactive component of propolis, the resinous substance produced by honeybees. CAPE exhibits a wide range of biological activities including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and cytoprotective effects. Mechanistically, it acts as an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), suppresses p70S6K/Akt signaling pathways, inhibits 5-lipoxygenase and HIV-1 integrase enzymes, and modulates various cellular signal transduction processes. In preclinical studies and in vitro models it has shown selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells while protecting normal tissues from oxidative stress or chemotherapy-induced damage[2][3][5][6][9][10]. Despite extensive research on its pharmacological properties in animal models and cell cultures—including protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury—its clinical significance in humans remains unproven.

Other names

phenethyl caffeatephenyl caffeatecaffeic acid phenyl ester