Therapeutic Promises of Ferulic Acid and its Derivatives on Hepatic damage Related with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: A Review with Mechanisms

Chem Biodivers. 2024 Jul;21(7):e202400443. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202400443. Epub 2024 Jun 26.

Abstract

Ferulic acid (FA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound commonly found in the plant Ferula communis. This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of FA and its derivatives (methyl ferulic acid and trans-ferulic acid) against oxidative stress and inflammation-related hepatotoxicity due to toxicants based on the results of different non-clinical and preclinical tests. For this, data was collected from different reliable electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, etc. The results of this investigation demonstrated that FA and its derivatives have potent hepatoprotective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation-related damage. The findings also revealed that these protective effects are due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the chemical compound. FA and its analogues significantly inhibit free radical generation and hinder the effects of proinflammatory markers and inflammatory enzymes, resulting in diminished cytotoxic and apoptotic hepatocyte death. The compounds also prevent intracellular lipid accumulation and provide protective effects.

Keywords: Antioxidant activity; Ferulic acid; Hepatoprotective effect; Methyl ferulic acid.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / drug therapy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Coumaric Acids* / chemistry
  • Coumaric Acids* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation* / drug therapy
  • Inflammation* / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Oxidative Stress* / drug effects
  • Protective Agents / chemistry
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Coumaric Acids
  • ferulic acid
  • Antioxidants
  • Protective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents