o-coumaric acid

o-Coumaric acid (OCA) is a naturally occurring phenolic acid and a positional isomer of p-coumaric acid, widely found in dietary sources such as coffee, tea, nuts, and various fruits and vegetables. It belongs to the hydroxycinnamic acid class and is recognized for its antioxidant, antilipidemic, and potential anticarcinogenic properties. Research in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines has demonstrated that OCA significantly modulates the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system. Specifically, it induces the expression of CYP1A2, CYP2E1, and CYP2C9 at both the mRNA and protein levels, while concurrently inhibiting CYP3A4. These findings highlight the potential for OCA to cause significant food–drug interactions and to alter the metabolic activation of environmental toxins and pro-carcinogens, necessitating caution when used as a concentrated dietary supplement.

Other names

2-hydroxycinnamic acidtrans-o-coumaric acidortho-coumaric acid2-hydroxy-trans-cinnamic acid