Recent progresses in the pharmacological activities of caffeic acid phenethyl ester

The past decades have seen a growing interest in natural products. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a flavonoid isolated from honeybee propolis, has shown multiple pharmacological potentials, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and protective effects on nervous systems and multiple organs, since it was found as a potent nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) inhibitor. This review summarizes the advances in these beneficial effects of CAPE, as well as the underlying mechanisms, and proposes that CAPE offers an opportunity for developing therapeutics in multiple diseases. However, clinical trials on CAPE are necessary and encouraged to obtain certain clinically relevant conclusions.

Automated summary

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a flavonoid isolated from honeybee propolis, has demonstrated multiple pharmacological potentials, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, and could offer an opportunity for developing therapeutics in multiple diseases. However, clinical trials on CAPE are necessary to obtain certain clinically relevant conclusions.