Caffeic acid phenethyl ester: its protective role against certain major eye diseases

J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Nov;30(9):700-8. doi: 10.1089/jop.2014.0046. Epub 2014 Aug 6.

Abstract

As an effective compound found mainly in the honeybee product propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has been commonly utilized as a medicine and remedial agent, in a number of countries. Specifically, it might inhibit nuclear factor kappa B at micromolar concentrations and demonstrate antioxidant, antineoplastic, antiproliferative, cytostatic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory features. This review article summarizes the recent progress regarding the favorable effects of CAPE on a number of eye disease models, including cataract and posterior capsule opacification, corneal diseases, retina and optic nerve-related diseases, ischemia/reperfusion injury of retina, inflammation and infection-related diseases. CAPE has been found to exhibit promising efficacy, with minimal adverse effects, in animal and cell culture studies of several eye diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees
  • Caffeic Acids / adverse effects
  • Caffeic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eye Diseases / physiopathology
  • Eye Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Phenylethyl Alcohol / adverse effects
  • Phenylethyl Alcohol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phenylethyl Alcohol / pharmacology
  • Propolis / chemistry

Substances

  • Caffeic Acids
  • NF-kappa B
  • Propolis
  • caffeic acid phenethyl ester
  • Phenylethyl Alcohol