:internalReference - caffeic-acid-phenethyl-ester | 104594-70-9

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester

CAPE, in propolis, blocks NF-kappa B, suppresses p70S6K/Akt pathways, and inhibits PDGF, aiding in cancer protection and immune modulation.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active phenolic compound found in honeybee propolis that has the potential to downregulate inflammation in mammals. Studies demonstrated that CAPE specifically inhibits the protein complex NF-κB - a key player in inflammation, associated with the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, CAPE inhibits the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase and the production of nitric oxide by macrophages, also responsible for inflammation. By acting on T cells, CAPE can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase the production of anti-inflammatory ones, leading to a less overwhelming immune response to allergens.

CAPE is known to have antimitogenic, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulating properties. The molecular basis for these properties seems to be its ability to specifically and potently inhibit the activation of the nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB.

Inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase, and is cytotoxic to cancer cell lines