Cardiovascular protective effects of cinnamic acid as a natural phenolic acid: a review

Phenolic acids derived from plants have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cinnamic acid (CA) is a crucial phenolic acid that can form numerous hydroxycinnamic derivate found in many food groups. We review current data on the cardiovascular pharmacology of CA with a focus on CVD and their risk factors including hyperlipidaemia, obesity, hyperglycaemia, cardiomyopathy and myocardial ischaemia, vascular dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation. Both in vivo and in vitro laboratory studies demonstrate the lipid-lowering, anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemic, cardio-protective and vasorelaxant activities of CA. The protective impacts of CA against CVD occur by inhibiting inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic pathways, regulating the genes and enzymes involved in glucose and lipid metabolisms, and promoting vasodilation. This review showed that the most studied and prominent effects of CA are anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic properties. In conclusion, intake of plant foods rich in CA may reduce CVD risk especially through regulating blood glucose and lipids levels.