<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The review summarizes the main roles of ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamic acid), a phenolic compound widespread in the vegetable world, being present in cereals (rice, wheat, oats), coffee, tomatoes, nuts or corn, but also in a range of plants used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It plays a vital role in ensuring cell wall rigidity and also in the formation of other important organic compounds for plants. Ferulic acid has a wide variety of biological activities such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiallergic, anticancer, antithrombotic, antiviral activities, vasodilator, hepatoprotective and metal chelation actions, enzymatic activity modulation, and wound healing activity. The most important action is the antioxidant one, being studies that demonstrate that ferulic acid acts synergistically with other antioxidants. Also, the antioxidant effect of ferulic acid is enhanced by skin exposure to ultraviolet light, making it a good ingredient for sunscreen cosmetics. It is one of the most powerful natural antioxidant that has the potential to neutralize free radicals, to slow down the aging process of the skin, to accelerate skin regeneration, to heal the skin wounds and also to preserve the health and beauty of the skin.</p></abstract>

The review summarizes the main roles of ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamic acid), a phenolic compound widespread in the vegetable world, being present in cereals (rice, wheat, oats), coffee, tomatoes, nuts or corn, but also in a range of plants used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It plays a vital role in ensuring cell wall rigidity and also in the formation of other important organic compounds for plants. Ferulic acid has a wide variety of biological activities such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiallergic, anticancer, antithrombotic, antiviral activities, vasodilator, hepatoprotective and metal chelation actions, enzymatic activity modulation, and wound healing activity. The most important action is the antioxidant one, being studies that demonstrate that ferulic acid acts synergistically with other antioxidants. Also, the antioxidant effect of ferulic acid is enhanced by skin exposure to ultraviolet light, making it a good ingredient for sunscreen cosmetics. It is one of the most powerful natural antioxidant that has the potential to neutralize free radicals, to slow down the aging process of the skin, to accelerate skin regeneration, to heal the skin wounds and also to preserve the health and beauty of the skin.

Ferulic Acid – A Versatile Molecule

“Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy

“Dunărea de Jos” University Galaţi, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy

Acta Biologica Marisiensis

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Ferulic Acid \u2013 A Versatile Molecule"}

The review summarizes the main roles of ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamic acid), a phenolic compound widespread in the vegetable world, being present...

Ferulic Acid – A Versatile Molecule

Published Online: Jun 08, 2020

Page range: 53 - 60

Received: Dec 04, 2018

Accepted: Dec 12, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/abmj-2018-0013

Keywords
ferulic acid, skin health, antioxidant activity, free radicals, photoprotection

© 2018 Maria Drăgan et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Ferulic Acid – A Versatile Molecule

Published Online: Jun 08, 2020

Page range: 53 - 60

Received: Dec 04, 2018

Accepted: Dec 12, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/abmj-2018-0013

Keywordsferulic acid, skin health, antioxidant activity, free radicals, photoprotection

© 2018 Maria Drăgan et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
ferulic acid, skin health, antioxidant activity, free radicals, photoprotection