Synthesis and structure-activity relationship analysis of caffeic acid amides as selective matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

Four series of acid amides were synthesized, preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that caffeic acid amides with electron-donating groups at para-position of amino phenyl group showed better inhibitory activities and selectivity than those with electron-withdrawing groups, and the presence of adjacent dihydroxy in the caffeoyl group was very important for the MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitory activities.