2,4-DIHYDROXY-6-METHYLBENZOIC ACID

Orsellinic acid is a fungal metabolite and benzoic acid derivative with antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. It scavenges 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; ) radicals with an IC₅₀ value of 5 mM. Orsellinic acid (1 μg/ml) prevents PARP cleavage induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in PC12-AC cells and PAF-induced cytotoxicity in PAF receptor null (Pafr^-/-) mouse cerebellar granule cells.

Orsellinic acid is a benzoic acid compound shown to block PAF-mediated neuronal apoptosis.

ChEBI: A dihydroxybenzoic acid that is 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid in which the hydrogen at position 6 is replaced by a methyl group.

One of the simplest polyketide derivatives, orsellinic acid is widely distributed in fungi. It is biosynthesised from an acetate starter unit and three malonyl units, as shown in Figure. Intramolecular condensation of the polyketide chain gives orsellinic acid without further modification.

The biosynthesis of orsellinic acid.

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 30, p. 3566, 1965 DOI: 10.1021/jo01021a507