Named Bioactive Compounds · Compound
Neochlorogenic Acid
Moderate Evidencephenolic2 PubMed Studies
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Neochlorogenic acid is a hydroxycinnamic acid ester formed from caffeic acid and quinic acid, predominantly found in stone fruits, prunes, and certain teas. It exerts its primary effects through free radical scavenging, inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes such as COX-2, and suppression of melanogenesis via downregulation of tyrosinase activity.
Neochlorogenic acid is a chlorogenic acid isomer (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) classified as a phenolic compound found naturally in Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), coffee beans, and various fruits and vegetables. Commercial forms are produced as white to off-white solids through purification processes achieving >98% HPLC purity.
No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses were identified in the research dossier. The only specific evidence cited is in vitro growth inhibition in the MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cell line, though no PMIDs are provided.
No clinically studied dosage ranges, forms, or standardization details are available from human trials. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Neochlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid; C₁₆H₁₈O₉; MW 354.31 g/mol) is a phenolic compound belonging to the chlorogenic acid (CGA) family, specifically an ester of caffeic acid and quinic acid. It is not consumed as an isolated nutrient but rather as a minor-to-moderate constituent of plant-based foods. Key details: • **Classification:** Hydroxycinnamic acid derivative; polyphenol subclass – phenylpropanoids. • **Typical dietary concentrations:** Found in coffee (green beans: ~0.5–3.0 mg/g dry weight, contributing roughly 5–10% of total CGAs), prunes/dried plums (~15–30 mg per 100 g), peaches (~5–20 mg per 100 g fresh weight), blueberries (~2–15 mg per 100 g), apples (~1–5 mg per 100 g), and various Lonicera (honeysuckle) species and Asteraceae herbs at higher concentrations. • **Macronutrients:** Not applicable – neochlorogenic acid is a bioactive secondary metabolite with negligible caloric contribution. Contains no protein, fat, or significant carbohydrate value at dietary intake levels. • **Micronutrients/vitamins/minerals/fiber:** None intrinsic to the compound itself; any micronutrient content comes from the whole food matrix in which it occurs. • **Key bioactive properties of the molecule:** Possesses a catechol (ortho-dihydroxyl) moiety on the caffeic acid ring, responsible for its electron-donating and radical-scavenging capacity (ORAC and DPPH activity comparable to chlorogenic acid). • **Bioavailability notes:** Oral bioavailability is relatively low (~1–5% as intact molecule in plasma). A fraction (~30%) is hydrolyzed by esterases in the small intestinal mucosa and liver to caffeic acid and quinic acid. The majority (~60–70%) reaches the colon intact, where gut microbiota cleave the ester bond, producing caffeic acid, dihydrocaffeic acid (3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid), 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, and hippuric acid as downstream metabolites. Peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of the parent compound occurs ~1–2 hours post-ingestion; microbial metabolites peak at ~4–8 hours. Plasma half-life of intact neochlorogenic acid is estimated at ~1–2 hours. Conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation, methylation) in the liver further modifies absorbed forms, and urinary recovery of total metabolites ranges from ~10–30% of ingested dose. Co-ingestion with food matrix components (fiber, protein) may slow absorption but does not substantially alter total bioavailability. It is an isomer of chlorogenic acid (3-CQA) and cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA), but the 5-position ester linkage may slightly alter its rate of hydrolysis and microbial metabolism compared to its isomers.
Neochlorogenic acid donates hydrogen atoms to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chelates transition metal ions that catalyze oxidative reactions, reducing lipid peroxidation. It suppresses the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting downstream transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, while also reducing COX-2 and iNOS enzyme activity. Additionally, it inhibits tyrosinase and MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) expression, directly interrupting the melanin biosynthesis cascade in melanocyte cell lines.
The current evidence base for neochlorogenic acid is composed almost entirely of in vitro cell culture studies and a smaller number of animal model experiments, with no robust randomized controlled trials isolating neochlorogenic acid as a single compound in humans. In vitro studies have demonstrated IC50 values for antioxidant activity comparable to other chlorogenic acid isomers, while murine models suggest anti-inflammatory efficacy at doses of approximately 10–50 mg/kg body weight. Chemopreventive effects have been observed in cancer cell line studies involving HepG2 (liver) and MCF-7 (breast) cells, showing reduced proliferation, though extrapolation to human clinical outcomes is not yet warranted. Overall, the evidence is preliminary and promising but insufficient to establish therapeutic dosing recommendations or confirmed health claims.
Neochlorogenic acid has not been evaluated in dedicated human safety or toxicology trials, making definitive side effect profiling impossible at this time. As a close structural analog of chlorogenic acid, theoretical concerns include mild gastrointestinal discomfort at high doses and possible interference with iron absorption due to its metal-chelating properties. Individuals taking anticoagulant medications such as warfarin should exercise caution, as polyphenolic acids can theoretically modulate platelet aggregation and drug metabolism via CYP450 enzyme pathways. Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established, and supplementation beyond food-derived amounts is not recommended for these populations without medical supervision.
