2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is a derivative of benzoic and a powerful inhibitor of fibroblast growth factors.

2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid (Gentisic acid) is a derivative of benzoic and a minor product of the metabolic break down of aspirin[1]. 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is also a component of many traditional liquors and herbal remedies, is singled out as a powerful inhibitor of fibroblast growth factors. 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is used as a lead to identify additional compounds with better inhibitory characteristics generating a new chemical class of fibroblast growth factor inhibitors that includes the agent responsible for alkaptonuria. Through low and high resolution approaches, using representative members of the fibroblast growth factor family and their cell receptors, it is shown that this class of inhibitors may employ two different mechanisms to interfere with the assembly of the signaling complexes that trigger fibroblast growth factor-driven mitogenesis[2].

It is verified from in vivo disease models that this group of inhibitors (e.g., 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid) may be of interest to treat cancer and angiogenesis-dependent diseases[2].

[1]. Levy G, et al. Salicylate accumulation kinetics in man. N Engl J Med. 1972 Aug 31;287(9):430-2. [2]. IS Fernández, et al. Gentisic acid, a compound associated with plant defense and a metabolite of aspirin, heads a new class of in vivo fibroblast growth factor inhibitors. Journal of Biological Chemistry , 2010, 285(15):11714-29.