Caffeic acid (CA) is a polyphenol belonging to the phenylpropanoid family, commonly found in plants and vegetables. It was first identified by Hlasiwetz in 1867 as a breakdown product of caffetannic acid. CA is biosynthesized from the amino acids tyrosine or phenylalanine through specific enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Extensive research since its discovery has revealed various health benefits associated with CA, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. These effects are attributed to its ability to modulate several pathways, such as inhibiting NFkB, STAT3, and ERK1/2, thereby reducing inflammatory responses, and activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway to enhance antioxidant cell defenses. The consumption of CA has been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers, mitigation of chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced toxicity, and reversal of resistance to first-line chemotherapeutic agents. This suggests that CA could serve as a useful adjunct in cancer treatment. Studies have shown CA to be generally safe, with few adverse effects (such as back pain and headaches) reported. This review collates the latest information from Google Scholar, PubMed, the Phenol-Explorer database, and ClinicalTrials.gov, incorporating a total of 154 articles, to underscore the potential of CA in cancer prevention and overcoming chemoresistance.

Chemical investigation of the root of Zanthoxylum paracanthum afforded 1 new alkamide derivative, (2E,4E)-6-oxo-N-isobutyldeca-2,4-dienamide (1) together with 10 known congeners including one phenolic amide (2), four benzophenanthridines (3 − 6), three indolonaphthyridines (7 − 9) and two lignans (10 and 11). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic and spectrometric data. Using resazurin reduction assay, the crude extract (10 µg/mL) and isolates (10 µM) were screened for their cytotoxic activities against the drug-sensitive (CCRF-CEM) leukemia cell line and its multidrug-resistant counterpart (CEM/ADR5000). Compounds 3, 4 and 6 showed cytotoxicity against CCRF-CEM with IC₅₀ values of 2.00 ± 0.33, 2.31 ± 0.20 and 0.11 ± 0.04 µM, respectively. Only compound 6 exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against CEM/ADR5000 with an IC₅₀ value of 2.34 ± 0.34 µM in comparison with the standard drug doxorubicin which showed IC₅₀ values of 0.01 ± 0.14 (CCRF-CEM) and 26.78 ± 3.30 µM (CEM/ADR5000). Graphical Abstract

Endophytic fungal isolates Hypocrea lixii F3ST1 and Beauveria bassiana G1LU3 were evaluated for their potential to endophytically colonize and induce active compounds in Phaseolus vulgaris, as a defense mechanism against pea leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Endophytic colonization was achieved through seed inoculation with the volatile emissions from P. vulgaris plants being analyzed using GC-MS. The crude extracts of P. vulgaris obtained using methanol and dichloromethane were assayed against leafminer and fall armyworm larvae using leaf dipping and topical application, respectively. The two isolates successfully colonized the entire host plant (roots, stems, and leaves) with significant variation (p < 0.001) between fungal isolates and the controls. The results showed qualitative differences in the volatile profiles between the control plants, endophytically colonized and insect-damaged plants attributed to fungal inoculation and leafminer damage. The crude methanol extracts significantly reduced the percentage pupation of 2nd instar leafminer larvae (p < 0.001) and adult-flies emergence (p < 0.05). The survival of the 1st instar fall armyworm larvae was also significantly reduced (p < 0.001) compared to the controls. This study demonstrated the high potential of endophytic fungi H. lixii and B. bassiana in inducing mainly specific defense compounds in the common bean P. vulgaris that can be used against pea leafminer and fall armyworm.