|
Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone, 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, and herbs, the most abundant sources being the leafy herb parsley and dried flowers of chamomile. Present in dietary sources as a glycoside, it is cleaved in the gastrointestinal lumen to be absorbed and distributed as apigenin itself. For this reason, the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract is exposed to higher concentrations of apigenin than tissues at other locations. Recent studies on different types of flavonoids and the benefits of a high dietary intake of fruits and vegetables suggest that the intake of fruits and vegetables rich in certain types of flavonoids, mainly apigenin, epigallocatechin gallate, delphinidin and genistein appear to be associated with a lower incidence and risk of cancer. Apigenin is one of the flavonoids - more precisely one of the citrus bioflavonoids. Just like most flavonoids, it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Perhaps apigenin can even block the formation of uric acid leading to beneficial effects in gout. 1. Apigenin and heart disease Flavonoid has relaxing effect on the central nervous system which can help lower high blood pressure. Actually, the relaxing effect of Chamomile is mostly attributed to this powerful phytochemical which is able to modulate GABA receptors in the brain. While it has few other health benefits, heart wise, the most significant is its ability to increase steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, know as StAR. This protein is necessary for production of hormones since it helps transport cholesterol, from which all hormones are made, into the cell. As we get older, eat bad foods and drink too much alcohol, production of StAR goes down. As StAR decreases, so does the hormonal production which eventually speeds up the aging process and leads to age related diseases. However, with apigenin rich diet and healthy lifestyle we can turn things around. Flavonoid is also a natural aromatase inhibitor. It lowers the risk of blood clots and helps increase production of several hormones, by inhibiting aromatase enzyme which increases with age. It may even be used to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. 2. Cancer apigenin has shown to have all round approach, when it comes to cancer. It may reduce the risk of prostate, breast, stomach and bladder cancer as well as leukemia. Scientists assume that flavonoid works in several ways from which only a few of them have been identified. However, strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics are for sure, one of the main reasons behind its anti-cancer properties. By preventing free radical damage and blocking COX-2, the risk of cancer can be reduced, a lot. Flavonoid can also nullify the effect of immunosuppressants thereby boosting the immune system which kills cancer cells. However, it can have adverse reactions in case of organ transplant because of this. Its ability to reduce and block excess estrogen from binding to its receptors, are the main reason why flavonoid can reduce the risk and slow down the metastasis of cancerous cells, especially breast and prostate cancer. 3. Apigenin for leukemia In studies on the effectiveness of apigenin on the treatment of leukemia, scientists discovered how apigenin was able to induced natural cell death (apoptosis) in U937 human leukemia cells, exerting also anti-leukemic activity in vivo. It was also discovered that tumor growth in U937 xenografts was attenuated, something that raises the hopes for the medical industry to find proper ways to use this chemopreventive properties on the development of new medicines against leukemia.
Related Articles -
Apigenin,
| 
