1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid shows increased neuronal cell viability against Aβ(42) toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner in neurons. 1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid activates both phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) with stimulating their upstream tyrosine kinase A (Trk A). 1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid's anti-apoptotic potential is related to the enhanced inactivating phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and the modulation of expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2/Bax. 1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (10 μM, 20 μM, 50 μM, and 100 μM) significantly increases cell viablity before OGD/reperfusion, and prevents the depletion of GSH under OGD/reperfusion insult. 1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid induces nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in OGD/reperfusion treated astrocytes, and induces increased GCL activity, and the effect is lost in Nrf2 siRNA-transfected cells.

1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (32.0 mg/kg, p.o.) and 1-O-ABL are absorbed very quickly in Wistar rats. The maximum plasma concentrations for 1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid and 1-O-ABL are 44.5 ± 7.1 and 19.1 ± 6.9 ng/mL, respectively.