Potential Mechanisms of Chlorogenic Acid in Cognitive Impairment: A Comprehensive Review
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China
- 2Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China
Abstract
Cognitive impairment (CI) is a clinical syndrome primarily affecting cognitive functions such as learning, memory, perception, and problem-solving. Its causes are heterogeneous, including neurological, psychiatric, metabolic, vascular, toxicological, and age-related factors. Currently, no specific and effective pharmacological therapies are available for CI in clinical practice. As one of the most abundant dietary polyphenols, chlorogenic acid (CGA) displays diverse biological effects and has recently garnered growing interest within cognitive neuroscience. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which CGA ameliorates cognitive impairment, encompassing neuroprotection, modulation of the gut–brain axis, inhibition of neuroinflammation, inhibition of oxidative stress, promotion of autophagy, inhibition of apoptosis, and suppression of amyloid-β (Aβ) formation. The signaling pathways implicated include activation of the PKC, Nrf2/PPAR and Nrf2/ARE pathways, as well as inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB, mTOR/TFEB, p38 MAPK, and JNK/c-Jun pathways. This article provides an overview of current advancements in CGA, addressing its chemical attributes, dietary origins, drug metabolism, and the mechanistic basis for its efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026potential,
title = {{Potential Mechanisms of Chlorogenic Acid in Cognitive Impairment: A Comprehensive Review}},
author = {Yuxuan Liu and Shijun Wang},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213800},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3800},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Potential Mechanisms of Chlorogenic Acid in Cognitive Impairment: A Comprehensive Review
AU - Yuxuan Liu
AU - Shijun Wang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213800
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3800
AB - Cognitive impairment (CI) is a clinical syndrome primarily affecting cognitive functions such as learning, memory, perception, and problem-solving. Its causes are heterogeneous, including neurological, psychiatric, metabolic, vascular, toxicological, and age-related factors. Currently, no specific and effective pharmacological therapies are available for CI in clinical practice. As one of the most abundant dietary polyphenols, chlorogenic acid (CGA) displays diverse biological effects and has recently garnered growing interest within cognitive neuroscience. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which CGA ameliorates cognitive impairment, encompassing neuroprotection, modulation of the gut–brain axis, inhibition of neuroinflammation, inhibition of oxidative stress, promotion of autophagy, inhibition of apoptosis, and suppression of amyloid-β (Aβ) formation. The signaling pathways implicated include activation of the PKC, Nrf2/PPAR and Nrf2/ARE pathways, as well as inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB, mTOR/TFEB, p38 MAPK, and JNK/c-Jun pathways. This article provides an overview of current advancements in CGA, addressing its chemical attributes, dietary origins, drug metabolism, and the mechanistic basis for its efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -