Sinapic acid is widespread in the plant kingdom (fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, oilseed crops, and some spices and medicinal plants) and as such is common in the human diet. Derivatives of sinapic acid are characteristic compounds in the Brassicaceae family. Sinapic acid shows antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-anxiety activity. 4-Vinylsyringol (a decarboxylation product of sinapic acid) is a potent antioxidative and antimutagenic agent which suppresses carcinogenesis and the induction of inflammatory cytokines. Sinapine (sinapoyl choline) is considered to be an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which might have therapeutic applications in various disease treatments. Mainly due to their antioxidative activity, these compounds have been suggested for potential use in food processing, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry, and this review aims to summarize current knowledge on the natural sources, chemistry, and biological activity of these substances.
© 2013 Institute of Food Technologists®.