Methyl 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate is a polyphenol that has been found inI. aquifoliumseeds and has antioxidant and antiviral activities.^1,2It scavenges 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals in a cell-free assay (IC₅₀= 0.0025 mg/ml).¹Methyl 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate (0.01 µg/ml) inhibits enterovirus 71 replication in rhabdomyosarcoma cells.²

1.Nahar, L., Russell, W.R., Middleton, M., et al.Antioxidant phenylacetic acid derivatives from the seeds of Ilex aquifoliumActa Pharm.55(2)187-193(2005) 2.Wang, L., Wang, J., Wang, L., et al.Anti-enterovirus 71 agents of natural productsMolecules20(9)16320-16333(2015)