Interesting pharmacological effects of phenolic acids found in plants

Fenolic acids are present in plants as secondary metabolites and are a common part of the human diet. This is beneficial for the consumer, as their antioxidant activity is known to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and oncological diseases. This activity is related to the ability to scavenge free radicals and depends on their structure, especially on the number and positions of hydroxyl groups, as well as the character of substitutions on aromatic rings. Their other significant effects are antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal. Due to the complex of many beneficial effects, they are investigated in more detail preclinical studies (in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo). The aim of this article is to summarize an overview of the most common phenolic acids and their positive effects on human body.