Ferulic Acid

Name: Ferulic acid
Synonym: (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
CAS: 537-98-4
Molecular Formula: C10H10O4
Molecular Weight: 194.184
Molecular Structure:
Botanical Source: Ferula, giant fennel.
Major Functions:
Ferulic acid, like many phenols, is an antioxidant in the sense that it is reactive toward free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS and free radicals are implicated in DNA damage, cancer, accelerated cell aging. Animal studies and in vitro studies suggest that ferulic acid may have direct antitumor activity against breast cancer and liver cancer. Ferulic acid may have pro-apoptotic effects in cancer cells, thereby leading to their destruction . Ferulic acid may be effective at preventing cancer induced by exposure to the carcinogenic compounds benzopyrene and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide. Note that these are not randomized controlled trials done with human participants, and therefore, the results of these studies may not be directly applicable to human use.
If added to a topical preparation of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, ferulic acid may reduce oxidative stress and formation of thymine dimers in skin