Therapeutic potential of protocatechuic acid in in silico evaluation, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory effects for cardiovascular health
Paper Details
Therapeutic potential of protocatechuic acid in in silico evaluation, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory effects for cardiovascular health
Abstract
Protocatechuic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic properties, particularly in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic, toxicological, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of protocatechuic acid. In silico tools, including SwissADME and STopTox, were used to assess the compound’s ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and toxicity profiles. Experimental assays were conducted to measure protocatechuic acid’s antioxidant activity, including ferric reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, metal chelation, and free radical scavenging. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory potential was assessed using a protein denaturation assay. The results revealed that Protocatechuic acid exhibited favourable ADME properties, moderate toxicity, and significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with IC₅₀ values comparable to standard compounds such as ascorbic acid and aspirin. These findings suggest that protocatechuic acid holds promise as a natural agent for mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiovascular disorders, with potential for oral therapeutic applications.
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Bhavadharseny Uma Shanmugasundaram, Subashini Ragunathan*, 2026. Therapeutic potential of protocatechuic acid in in silico evaluation, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory effects for cardiovascular health. Int. J. Biosci., 28(5), 1-10.
Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.