Ethyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (Ethyl protocatechuate), an antioxidant, is a prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor found in the testa of peanut seeds. Ethyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate protects myocardium by activating NO synthase and generating mitochondrial ROS. Ethyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate induces cell autophagy and apoptosis in ESCC cells. Ethyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate is a collagen synthesis inhibitor and has a bone protecting-effect[1][2][3][4].
[1]. Bo Han, et al. A prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor, ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, induces cell autophagy and apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via up-regulation of BNIP3 and N-myc downstream-regulated gene-1. PLoS One. 2014 Sep 18;9(9):e107204. [2]. Sebastian Philipp, et al. Desferoxamine and ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate protect myocardium by activating NOS and generating mitochondrial ROS. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2006 Jan;290(1):H450-7. [3]. Byeong-Ju Kwon, et al. Ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate with a dual function of induction of osteogenic differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast differentiation for bone tissue engineering. Tissue Eng Part A. 2014 Nov;20(21-22):2975-84. [4]. D Nandan, et al. Ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate inhibits myoblast differentiation: evidence for an essential role of collagen. J Cell Biol. 1990 May;110(5):1673-9.