Chapter 71 - Antifungal Inhibitory Activities of Caffeic and Quinic Acid Derivatives

Abstract

Caffeic acid, quinic acid, and their ester conjugates (caffeoylquinic acids) are the major constituents of coffee. Caffeoylquinic acids and caffeic acid are strong antioxidants with many beneficial effects. These compounds can also be used as starting materials to prepare derivatives with enhanced bioactivities. Notably, some of the derivatives have robust antifungal activities. As systemic fungal infections have increased dramatically in recent years in the immunocompromised population, such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome, cancer, and organ transplantation patients and because current antifungal drugs have severe side effects or can cause drug resistance, the discovery of caffeic, quinic, and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives that have strong antifungal properties will accelerate the development of clinically valuable drugs. This review briefly introduces the structures, antifungal efficacies, and mechanisms of action of caffeic, quinic, and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives.