Synthetic methods and pharmacological potential of some cinnamic acid analogues particularly against convulsions

Cinnamic acid analogues are naturally occurring compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It is used as dietary phenolic compounds and play vital role in the preparation of essential intermediate compounds which are crucial for the making of various pharmaceutical components. Cinnamic acid and its analogues are studied for its various types of biological activities including antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, antidepressants, insect repellents, antidiabetic and anticholesterolemic etc. Various substitutions on cinnamic acid moiety lead to different types of pharmacological activities such as m-hydroxy or p-methoxy group on cinnamic acid is significantly vital functional groups as an efficient insulin releasing compound while 3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid or caffeic acid showed hepatoprotective activity. Cinnamic acid analogues are showed variety of biological activities along with their milder to moderate adverse effects which are become obstacle for the clinical use of cinnamic acid analogues. So for the suitable use of cinnamic acid analogues, it is yet to investigate to decrease or terminate its adverse effects.