Chicoric Acid (Dicaffeic Acid Ester · Immunostimulatory · Antiviral)

Compound	Chicoric Acid
Chemical class	Polyphenol — Dicaffeic Acid Tartrate Ester (Dicaffeoyl-L-Tartaric Acid)
CAS	70831-56-0
Primary source	Echinacea purpurea (aerial parts), Cichorium intybus (chicory)
Key applications	Immunostimulatory, antiviral, anti-inflammatory
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Echinacea purpurea extract standardised to chicoric acid
Buy from Herbuno	Echinacosides 4% Powder (Echinacea Extract) | Standardized Echinacea angustifolia → Polyphenols 4% Powder (Echinacea Extract) | Standardized Echinacea purpurea →

Name origin: From Cichorium (chicory genus), where it was first isolated. Chicoric acid is an ester of two caffeic acid molecules with tartaric acid (hence “dicaffeoyl-tartaric acid”) — structurally related to chlorogenic acid (caffeoylquinic acid) but with a tartrate rather than quinate core. Traditional use: Echinacea purpurea has been one of the most widely used medicinal plants in North America and Europe for immune support and cold/flu treatment for over a century. Native American peoples used Echinacea for infections, wound healing, and analgesic applications long before European adoption. Chicoric acid is now identified as a primary immunostimulatory active alongside alkylamides and polysaccharides. Research trajectory: Chicoric acid has dedicated research for HIV-1 integrase inhibition, antiviral activity against influenza, immunostimulatory effects, and NF-κB-mediated anti-inflammatory mechanisms. It is one of the primary quality markers for E. purpurea extract standardisation. Commercial source: Commercially available as a key constituent of Echinacea purpurea extract. See sourcing options below.

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Evidence for Chicoric Acid Applications

Immune stimulation and antiviral: Chicoric acid activates macrophage phagocytosis, promotes NK cell activity, and stimulates dendritic cell maturation in cell models. In mouse models of influenza infection, Echinacea preparations containing chicoric acid reduce viral load and improve survival. Human Echinacea RCTs for cold/flu prevention and treatment show consistent but modest benefits; chicoric acid contribution is inferred from extract content. Claim strength: Moderate.

HIV-1 integrase inhibition: Chicoric acid is a direct inhibitor of HIV-1 integrase — one of the three HIV enzymes targeted by antiretroviral drugs. In vitro IC50 values are in the low micromolar range. This mechanism established chicoric acid’s antiviral interest beyond general immune stimulation. Clinical antiviral translation for HIV is not established at supplement doses. Claim strength: Moderate (mechanism well-characterised; supplement-level clinical translation absent).

Anti-inflammatory: Chicoric acid inhibits NF-κB, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and suppresses COX-2 in macrophage and epithelial models. The dual caffeic acid moieties provide potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Claim strength: Moderate.

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

Echinacea purpurea for immune applications: 900–1500 mg/day dried aerial herb equivalent, or 200–600 mg/day standardised extract. For chicoric acid-standardised preparations, specify minimum 1–3% chicoric acid by HPLC. Echinacea extract typically contains 1–4% chicoric acid in aerial part preparations (leaves and flowers); root preparations are lower in chicoric acid but higher in alkylamides.

Quality note: Echinacea species and plant parts matter significantly for chicoric acid content. E. purpurea aerial parts have highest chicoric acid; E. angustifolia root is richer in alkylamides but lower in chicoric acid; E. pallida root contains neither at meaningful levels. Specify E. purpurea aerial part extract with HPLC-verified chicoric acid content for chicoric acid-targeted formulations.

Chicoric acid has good water solubility (better than most flavonoids). Relatively stable in acidic conditions; pH-sensitive degradation at alkaline pH. Thermolabile above 60°C — avoid high-temperature extraction or processing. Herbuno supplies both Purple Coneflower Extract Powder and Echinacea purpurea Water-Soluble Liquid Extract.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Chicoric Acid

Is chicoric acid the primary active in Echinacea for immune support?
Echinacea’s immunostimulatory activity is considered a result of multiple compound classes acting synergistically: chicoric acid and other caffeic acid derivatives (caftaric acid, cichoric acid) stimulate macrophage activity; alkylamides (found primarily in roots) activate CB2 and TRP receptors; polysaccharides stimulate innate immune responses. Chicoric acid is the primary marker for E. purpurea aerial part quality but not the only or necessarily dominant immunostimulatory active.

Should Echinacea be used continuously or cyclically?
The traditional and regulatory guidance in Europe (HMPC monograph) recommends intermittent rather than continuous use — typically 8–10 days on, with a break between courses — based on the premise that continuous immunostimulation may lead to adaptive tolerance. Human evidence on the optimal dosing pattern is limited; continuous use for cold season prevention (2–4 months) has been studied without clear evidence of tolerance development. For acute cold/flu treatment, short course use (7–14 days) is most evidence-supported.

Does chicoric acid require gut hydrolysis before absorption?
Chicoric acid as a tartaric acid diester of caffeic acid undergoes partial hydrolysis by gut esterases and microbial enzymes, releasing caffeic acid and tartaric acid. Both the intact chicoric acid and caffeic acid metabolites are bioactive. Bioavailability studies show measurable plasma chicoric acid after oral Echinacea consumption, suggesting partial intact absorption alongside hydrolytic conversion.

Is there a concern about Echinacea use in autoimmune conditions?
Echinacea’s immunostimulatory activity raises theoretical concerns for autoimmune conditions (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis) where immune activation may worsen disease. The EU HMPC monograph contraindicates Echinacea in progressive systemic diseases and immunosuppressed patients. Clinical evidence specifically testing this concern in autoimmune populations is largely absent; the contraindication is precautionary. Formulators should include this advisory language on Echinacea-containing product labels.

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Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

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