Caffeic Acid and Its Derivatives as Potential Therapies for Neurological Disorders

Neuroinflammation may undesirably impact the post-injury recovery, contributing to the incidence of several neurological disorders. Inflammation and disrupted redox balance interplay and constitute the pathogenesis of multiple neurological disorders. Numerous reports have emphasized the potential neuroprotective role of caffeic acid and its derivatives against multiple CNS diseases involving neuroinflammation. Caffeic acid was found to have neuroprotective effects against cognitive impairment, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation, and amyloid-tauneuroinflammation. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester was found to protect against brain trauma, spinal cord injury, transient ischemic attacks, and chemobrain. Ferulic acid showed neuroprotective activity against chemobrain, depression, and LPS-induced toxicity. Similarly, chlorogenic acid, danshensu, and chicoric acid showed neuroprotective actions in a range of in vitro and in vivo models of neuroinflammation. To conclude, caffeic acid and its derivatives effectively improve the consequences of neuroinflammation and, therefore, can be considered potential therapeutics for various neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.