What is p-Coumaric acid used for?

Coumaric acid is a hydroxy derivative of cinnamic acid and ; p-Coumaric acid is one of three isomers (ortho-, meta- and para-) of hydroxycinnamic acid naturally occurring in natrue. It is a white solid that is only slightly soluble in water but very soluble in ethanol and diethyl ether.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects

p-coumaric acid, a phytochemical and nutraceutical, can be found in several edible plants like tomatoes, carrots, and cereals. It is widely present in the cell walls of graminaceous plants and can reduce LDL peroxidation. p-coumaric acid is positively associated with human health due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Although the endosperm of kernels has limited amounts, peripheral tissues contain significant levels of it. Cereal types like wheat, barley, corn, and oat have the richest pericarp fractions of p-coumaric acid. As a natural alternative to synthetic additives, it functions as both a potent antioxidant and an effective antimicrobial.

P-Coumaric Acid in Cosmetics

 p-Coumaric acid can attenuate skin hyperpigmentation through multiple mechanisms. It inhibited melanin synthesis in murine melanoma cells, human epidermal melanocytes, and 3-dimensionally reconstituted human skin models. Ex vivo skin permeation experiments and in vivo efficacy tests for p-coumaric acid confirmed its efficient transdermal delivery and functional efficacy in reducing erythema development and skin pigmentation due to ultraviolet exposure. Human studies further supported its effectiveness in hypopigmentation and depigmentation.  It have supported the effectiveness of p-coumaric acid in hypopigmentation and depigmentation, indicating that it has the potential to be an active ingredient in skin-lightening cosmetics.