Quinaldic acid has been considered as an emerging therapeutic agent due to its diverse pharmacological and biochemical properties. Quinaldic acid is a quinoline derivative produced as a metabolite in the tryptophan kynurenine pathway. It is also produced by gut bacteria and present in Ephedra pachyclada plants as well. Quinaldic acid is a type of organic acid that shares structural similarities with quinoline derivatives. This review presents the pharmacological properties of quinaldic acid, encompassing its antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. Experimental investigations revealed that quinaldic acid has shown concentration-dependent cytotoxic and antiproliferative actions on several cancer cell lines. Quinaldic acid reduced glucose production in the liver and increased insulin secretion, which helps to maintain glucose balance and manage diabetes. Additionally, quinaldic acid showed immunoregulatory effects in inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, it has shown antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic gut microorganisms. Quinaldic acid thus may serve as a viable candidate for pharmaceutical development, with prospective uses in various therapeutic domains. Despite these wide-ranging biological effects, the exact mechanisms behind its various actions are not fully understood. This review highlights the pharmacological potential of quinaldic acid and emphasizes the need for further research to uncover its clinical applications.
Tamilarasi S.1, Kamali T.2, Sivasankaran S. M.1, Deepa B.1* (Mon,) studied this question.