Caffeic Acid Modulates Processes Associated with Intestinal Inflammation

Abstract

Caffeic acid is one of the most abundant hydroxycinnamic acids in fruits, vegetables, and beverages. This phenolic compound reaches relevant concentrations in the colon (up to 126 µM) where it could come into contact with the intestinal cells and exert its anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this investigation was to study the capacity of caffeic acid, at plausible concentrations from an in vivo point of view, to modulate mechanisms related to intestinal inflammation. Consequently, we tested the effects of caffeic acid (50–10 µM) on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and prostaglandin (PG)E2, cytokines, and chemokines (IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 -MCP-1-, and IL-6) biosynthesis in IL-1β-treated human myofibroblasts of the colon, CCD-18Co. Furthermore, the capacity of caffeic acid to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, to hinder advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, as well as its antioxidant, reducing, and chelating activity were also investigated. Our results showed that (i) caffeic acid targets COX-2 and its product PGE2 as well as the biosynthesis of IL-8 in the IL-1β-treated cells and (ii) inhibits AGE formation, which could be related to (iii) the high chelating activity exerted. Low anti-ACE, antioxidant, and reducing capacity of caffeic acid was also observed. These effects of caffeic acid expands our knowledge on anti-inflammatory mechanisms against intestinal inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Properties of Sweet Cherry Phenolic-Rich Extracts

“…This modulation is due to the capacity of phenolics to down-regulate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B), affecting the biosynthesis of iNOS and COX-2, and consequently reducing the formation of NO and prostaglandins, respectively, and suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and JNK1/phosphorylation [ 37 , 38 ]. Besides the anthocyanins, other phenolics present in cherries also showed the ability to interfere with inflammation-related pathways and reduce pro-inflammatory markers, including hydroxybenzoic acids (25 µM), caffeic acid (10 µM), ρ -coumaric acid (50 µM) and quercetin (100 µM) [ 27 , 29 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…The total extract and the coloured fractions were the most active, exhibiting NO reductions of around 26% at the highest concentration tested (800 µg/mL) (IC 50 values of 156.41 ± 0.96 and 167.29 ± 0.96 µg/mL, respectively) (Figure 2). cherries also showed the ability to interfere with inflammation-related pathways and reduce pro-inflammatory markers, including hydroxybenzoic acids (25 µM), caffeic acid (10 µM), ρ-coumaric acid (50 µM) and quercetin (100 µM) [27,29,[39][40][41].…”

Grape Canes from Typical Cultivars of Campania (Southern Italy) as a Source of High-Value Bioactive Compounds: Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

“…The results regarding the antioxidant activity can be further investigated in the future by coupling the traditional antioxidant assays with more recent techniques such as cyclic voltammetry [ 40 ].…”

Anti-Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Properties of Sweet Cherry Phenolic-Rich Extracts

“…This modulation is due to the capacity of phenolics to down-regulate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-кB), affecting the biosynthesis of iNOS and COX-2, and consequently reducing the formation of NO and prostaglandins, respectively, and suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and JNK1/2 phosphorylation [37,38]. Besides the anthocyanins, other phenolics present in cherries also showed ability to interfere with inflammatory-related pathways and to reduce pro-inflammatory markers, including hydroxybenzoic acids (25 µM), caffeic acid (10 µM), ρ-coumaric acid (50 µM) and quercetin (100 µM) [27,29,[39][40][41].…”