Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Natural Phenolic (2E,4E,6E)-Octa-2,4,6-trienoic Esters

In the present study the esterification of the OH groups of resveratrol, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and β-sitosterol with an antioxidant polyconjugated fatty acid, (2E,4E,6E)-octa-2,4,6-trienoic acid, was achieved. As the selective esterification of OH groups of natural compounds can affect their biological activity, a selective esterification of resveratrol and caffeic acid was performed by an enzymatic approach. The new resulting compounds were characterized spectroscopically (FT-IR, NMR mono, and bidimensional techniques); when necessary the experimental data were integrated by quantum chemical calculations. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and proliferative activity was evaluated. The good results encourage the use of these molecules as antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory agents in dermocosmetic application.