Chlorogenic acid, polyphenolic compound and nutraceutical activities

Description :   Chlorogenic acid is a polyphenolic compound and very popular for its hypoglycemic property. It has

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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    Read more