Experimental Evidence of Caffeic Acid’s Neuroprotective Activity in Alzheimer’s Disease: In Vitro, In Vivo, and Delivery-Based Insights

Background and Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder marked by cholinergic deficits, oxidative stress, amyloid-beta (A beta) aggregation, and tau hyperphosphorylation. Caffeic acid (CA), a naturally occurring hydroxycinnamic acid, has emerged as a promising neuroprotective candidate due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme-inhibitory properties. This review systematically evaluates recent in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of CA in AD models and examines the impact of delivery systems and derivatives on its efficacy and bioavailability. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies published between January 2021 and April 2025 were included in this review. Eligible studies investigated the effects of CA or CA-enriched extracts on AD-relevant mechanisms using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models. After screening 101 articles, 44 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final qualitative synthesis of the study. Results: In vitro studies have confirmed that CA modulates cholinergic activity by inhibiting AChE and BChE and exerting antioxidant and anti-amyloidogenic effects. In vivo studies using pharmacological, genetic, and metabolic AD models have demonstrated improvements in cognitive function, reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation, and A beta and tau pathologies following CA administration. Advanced delivery platforms, such as solid lipid nanoparticles, transferrin-functionalized liposomes, and carbon dot systems, have significantly enhanced CA's brain bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. CA derivatives, including caffeic acid phenethyl ester and nitro-substituted analogs, exhibit improved pharmacokinetic and neuroprotective profiles. Conclusions: This review provides evidence supporting the use of CA as a promising multitarget agent against AD pathology. Its therapeutic potential is further enhanced by nanotechnology-based delivery systems and chemical modifications that overcome the limitations of bioavailability. Continued preclinical evaluation and translational studies are warranted to support its clinical development as an AD intervention.