香草酸与香草醛同属肉桂酸类衍生物, 广泛存在于自然界中, 如在香荚兰豆、香子兰的荚、秘鲁香膏、安息香膏、爪哇香毛油等许多植物及精油中均有发现。酪氨酸、儿茶酚胺的代谢产物。主要以硫酸酯结合型存在于尿中。

中文名称：香草酸

化学名：4-羟基-3-甲氧基苯甲酸

英文名称：4 -Hydroxy -3 -methoxy benzoic acid

分子式：C8H8O4

分子量：168.15

CAS 登录号：121-34-6

EINECS 登录号：204-466-8

Vanillin, a compound widely used in foods, beverages, cosmetics and drugs, has been reported to exhibit multifunctional effects such as antimutagenic, antiangiogenetic, anti-colitis, anti-sickling, an d antianalgesic effects. However, results of studies on the antioxidant activity of vanillin are not consistent.