3-(4'-Geranyloxy-3'-Methoxyphenyl)-2-trans Propenoic Acid: A Novel Promising Cancer Chemopreventive Agent

3-(4'-Geranyloxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-trans propenoic acid is a secondary metabolite biosynthetically related to ferulic acid in which a geranyl chain is attached to the phenolic group, extracted from Acronychia baueri Schott (Fam. Rutaceae). In the last five years some of the pharmacological properties of 3-(4'-geranyloxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-trans propenoic acid and its semisynthetic derivatives began to be characterized. In particular the ethyl ester showed a series of interesting biological effects such colon and tongue cancers chemoprevention by dietary feeding in rats and other effects closely related to cancer growth and development. Then 3-(4'-geranyloxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-trans propenoic acid becomes a novel candidate as chemopreventive drug for the cure of various types of cancer and synthesis of some novel derivatives of 3-(4'-geranyloxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-trans propenoic acid, other than esters, has been recently reported. The aim of this review is to examine in detail the properties of the title compound so far reported in the literature from a chemical and pharmacological point of view.