Novel Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (Cape) Analogues as Inducers of Heme Oxygenase-1

Background:Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a metabolic enzyme strongly involved in processes including cytoprotection, modulation of inflammatory response, anti-oxidative functions, regulation of cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, cardiovascular homeostasis, and immuno-modulation. HO-1 induction and/or activation is able to counterbalance, at least in part, oxidative stress and inflammation. For this reason, HO-1 can be regarded as an attractive target to ameliorate different stress-related pathologies. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, a natural polyphenolic compound, behaves as HO-1 inducer and possesses a plethora of beneficial effects under oxidative stress conditions. Keywords: Heme oxygenase, HO-1 inducers, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, ROS, human MSCs, VP961.