Quinic Acid and Synthetic Derivatives in Medicinal Chemistry

Quinic acid (QA) is a natural product recognized for its potential in medicinal chemistry. While traditionally studied as a structural moiety of chlorogenic acids, QA and synthetic derivatives thereof are becoming more relevant as independent scaffolds with broad therapeutic relevance. This review highlights the growing body of work on their biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer effects, as well as their roles in metabolic and immune modulation. Chemically, QA offers a rich framework for structural modification, enabling the design of diverse molecules with improved properties for drug development. Several derivatives have shown promising results in preclinical models, and new synthetic strategies continue to expand their applicability. By focusing on QA itself, instead of its more commonly studied esters, this review underscores its emerging value as a versatile and underutilized scaffold.