Chlorogenic acid is a polyphenolic compound and very popular for its hypoglycemic property. It has potent nutraceutical activities and extensively used for various medicinal purposes such as for preventing hypertension, obesity, neurological disorders and other related degenerative diseases.

Chemistry

• It is the ester of quinic acid and caffeic acid. It is mainly synthesized by the condensation of carboxyl group of caffeic acid (especially trans caffeic acid) with the 3-hydroxyl group of quinic acid
• It has the formula of C₁₆H₁₈O₉
• It is also considered as plant metabolite
• It acts as the intermediate of lignin biosynthesis
• It is extensively used for the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance and for advance stage cancers

Sources

It is naturally present in various food stuffs whereas it is also found in various supplemented products. It is always better to consume chlorogenic acid from natural sources. Foods, which are rich in chlorogenic acid, are listed below –

• Apple
• Carrot
• Coffee beans
• Grapes
• Artichoke
• Burdock
• Betel
• Honeysuckle
• Eggplants
• Pears
• Eucommia
• Kiwi
• Potato
• Tea
• Coffee
• Plum
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes

Biological property

Antioxidant property

• Chlorogenic acid exerts strong antioxidant activities
• It helps to decrease the oxidative stress of the body by regulating the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione
• It is associated with decreasing the prevalence of lipid peroxidation
• It also helps to decrease the concentration of free radicals within body hence protects the body from its harmful consequences

Anti-inflammatory property

• It also exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activities, which are responsible for reducing the risk of developing chronic inflammatory diseases
• It has seen that chlorogenic acid plays important role in reducing the concentration of inflammation related markers like IL-6, cytokines, TNF-α hence delays the onset of inflammatory events
• It is also related with preventing swelling and pain

Anti-carcinogenic property

• Chlorogenic acid is considered as an effective anti-cancer agent
• It plays vital role in suppressing the growth of tumor cells
• It helps to protect the DNA from damages thus prevents gene mutation hence decreases the risk of developing cancers
• It is also associated with hindering the growth of malignant cell by regulating cellular proliferation

Antimicrobial property

• It plays imperative role in inhibiting the growth and reproduction of microbes within host thus protects the body from the harmful consequences of infectious diseases
• Especially it is very effective for destroying both gram positive and gram negative bacteria

Health benefits

Chlorogenic acid and diabetes mellitus

• It plays significant role in decreasing blood sugar concentration
• It has seen that chlorogenic acid is associated with increasing the level of glucagon-like peptide 1 (a hormone), which helps to stimulate insulin secretion thus plays vital role in regulating blood sugar level. It is thus used as insulin sensitizer
• It is better to include chlorogenic acid rich food (mentioned above) in the diet of diabetic patient. whereas non diabetic patient, who has a family history of diabetes can also consume chlorogenic acid for decreasing the susceptibility of developing diabetes mellitus (especially type 2)

Chlorogenic acid and cardio vascular diseases

• It is widely used as an effective preventive measure for cardio vascular disease
• It plays significant role in decreasing the concentration of bad cholesterol (LDL) in body and also prevents its oxidation, which is considered as a good sign for cardiac health
• It is also associated with decreasing the level of triglyceride and VLDL thus decreases the risk of developing atherosclerosis by inhibiting fat accumulation within blood vessels

• It helps to increase the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in blood that helps to improve cardiac health and functionality
• It also helps to decrease the prevalence of heart attacks and stokes

Chlorogenic acid and hypertension

• Hypertension is a very common health complication, characterized by elevated blood pressure and if it is not corrected then it may increases the risk of heart failure, aneurysm, metabolic syndrome, dementia and trouble with understanding and memory
• Chlorogenic acid plays imperative role in decreasing blood pressure as it is related with inhibiting the enzyme 11-βHSD1, which is associated with synthesizing those hormones that are accountable for increasing blood pressure

Chlorogenic acid and nervous system

• It plays important role in improving the function of central as well as peripheral nervous system
• Its anti-inflammatory activity is responsible for protecting the nerve cells from inflammatory damages thus reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders
• It also helps to prevent oxidative stress induced neurological degeneration of brain cell as it is associated with suppressing the apoptotic nuclear condensation of hydrogenperoxide in neuronal cell
• It has seen that chlorogenic acid is associated with inhibiting microglial activation thus helps in the survival of dopamine producing brain cells. As a result the level of dopamine is maintained in body, which ultimately helps to control body movement

• It is also related with improving memory as well as cognitive ability by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase (an enzyme)
• It helps to decrease anxiety too as it is related with activating the GABAa receptor

Chlorogenic acid and obesity

• Obes individuals should consume chlorogenic acid for rapid weight reduction
• Chlorogenic acid is extremely effective for reducing body fat percentage thus helps to reduce the risk of fat accumulation within internal organ (visceral fat) of the body
• It has seen that it is associated with promoting the activity of PPAR-alpha or Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor alpha, which is responsible for increasing heat production as well as enhances the burning of fat
• Its hypolipidemic effect is also accountable for lowering body fat content by decreasing the concentration of triglyceride, LDL and VLDL
• It helps to prevent the biosynthetic pathway of fatty acid thus decreases the production of fat within body
• Whereas it promotes lipolysis by enhancing beta oxidation thus increases the catabolic rate of fat
• It is also associated with decreasing the level of HMG-CoA, which is responsible for producing cholesterol

Chlorogenic acid and endothelial functions

• Endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels and proper endothelial function is very important for maintaining cellular functions. It has seen that dysfunction of endothelium may cause severe cellular damage and hardening of blood vessels which lead to atherosclerosis and if not treated then it may become very fatal and can cause myocardial infraction

• Chlorogenic acid plays vital role in keeping the endothelium healthy
• It has seen that chlorogenic acid is related with increasing the production of nitric oxide, which helps to dilate blood vessels and promotes proper blood circulation thus improves the functionality of endothelium
• It is also associated with improving the reading of FMD or flow mediated dilation (dilation of blood vessel during increased blood flow)

Risk factors

• Over consumption of chlorogenic acid is not safe because it has various side effects, which include –

1. Muscle tension
2. Fatigue
3. Depression
4. Diarrhoea
5. Nausea
6. Vomiting
7. Magnesium depletion
8. Calcium deficiency
9. Agitation
10. Irregular heart beat
11. Increased breathing rate
12. Anxiety
13. Headache
14. Flushed face

• Excessive consumption of chlorogenic acid is associated with increasing the risk of developing cardiac diseases as it increases the concentration of homocysteine
• Pregnant and lactating women should consult with health experts before consuming chlorogenic acid

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Kabir, F., Katayama, S., Tanji, N. and Nakamura, S., 2014. Antimicrobial effects of chlorogenic acid and related compounds. Journal of the Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, 57(3), pp.359-365.

Kim, J.K. and Park, S.U., 2019. Chlorogenic acid and its role in biological functions: an up to date. EXCLI journal, 18, pp.310-316.

Lu, H., Tian, Z., Cui, Y., Liu, Z. and Ma, X., 2020. Chlorogenic acid: A comprehensive review of the dietary sources, processing effects, bioavailability, beneficial properties, mechanisms of action, and future directions. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 19(6), pp.3130-3158.

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