Caffeic acid phenethyl ester
Introduction '''Caffeic acid phenethyl ester''' ('''CAPE''') is a natural phenolic chemical compound. It is the ester of caffeic acid and phenethyl alcohol.
Natural occurrences CAPE is found in a variety of plants. It is also a component of propolis from honeybee hives.
Potential pharmacology A variety of ''in vitro'' pharmacology and effects in animal models have been reported for CAPE, but their clinical significance is unknown. It has antimitogenic, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties ''in vitro''. Another study also showed that CAPE suppresses acute immune and inflammatory responses ''in vitro''.This anti-cancer effect was also seen when mice skin was treated with bee propolis and exposed to TPA, a chemical that induced skin papillomas. CAPE significantly reduced the number of papillomas.Recent study suggest that CAPE can also help in reducing oxidative stress caused by traumatic brain injury.
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