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Apg4.0
Apigenin Research
Probably helps
45 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Probably helps
Apigenin helped in about half (3/5) of the studies that measured an effect — promising, but not unanimous.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1995–2026 with a typical study size of 57 participants.
Based on 45 studies · 9 meta-analyses · 10 RCTs · 107,578 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
3helped2unclear· 40 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Anxiety & stressModest anxiolytic effect from chamomile RCTs; direct apigenin trials lacking · 30-60 minutes
Probably helps28 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Neuroprotection & brain agingAnti-neuroinflammatory in animal/in-vitro models only; no human evidence · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
InflammationAnti-inflammatory in preclinical models only; no human trials · 2-4 weeks
29 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
199520102026
1Diabetic nephropathy managementMeta-AnalysisCited 3×n=1,443 · large study2025
Through rigorous experimental validation, our study demonstrates AS's significant clinical efficacy in managing DN.
Liang H et al. · Renal failure (2025)
Meanwhile, when the treatment duration exceeds 12 weeks, AS demonstrated a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, indicating a time-dependent effect.
Through rigorous experimental validation, our study demonstrates AS's significant clinical efficacy in managing DN.
Specifically, AS has been shown to enhance renal function, ameliorate renal fibrosis, and positively influence iron metabolism.
2Neuroinflammation inhibitionSystematic ReviewCited 6×n=461 · medium study2024
Olasehinde TA et al. · Inflammopharmacology (2024)
Overall, apigenin inhibited neuroinflammation which suggests it confers neuroprotective effect against neuronal degeneration in some neurodegenerative conditions.
This review provides important neuropharmacological information on the neuroprotective mechanisms of apigenin against neuroinflammation which may be useful for future preclinical and clinical studies.
Although levodopa is indispensable for the symptomatic management of PD, emerging evidence supports the integration of plant-derived bioactive compounds as adjunct therapies with disease-modifying potential.
Aktaş E et al. · CNS neuroscience & therapeutics (2025)
Although levodopa is indispensable for the symptomatic management of PD, emerging evidence supports the integration of plant-derived bioactive compounds as adjunct therapies with disease-modifying potential.
Future research should prioritize improving bioavailability, developing standardized formulations, and conducting long-term clinical trials to evaluate the translational applicability of these natural agents in Parkinson's disease therapy.
4Neuroprotection in brain and spinal cord injurySystematic ReviewCited 13×2025
Faysal M et al. · Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology (2025)
Flavonoids can enhance injury healing, reduce lesion size, and enhance synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis.
The full potential of flavonoids lies in their bioavailability, dose, and administration methods, but there are still challenges to overcome.
This review explores flavonoid-induced neuroprotection, its clinical implications, future research opportunities, and molecular mechanisms, highlighting the potential for innovative CNS injury therapies and improved patient health outcomes.
The utilization of natural products holds significant promise for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (ND).
The review provides evidence that natural products and their bioactive compounds could be beneficial in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
This article delineates the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway's role in ND progression, shedding light on the therapeutic efficacy of natural products and their bioactive constituents that have demonstrated neuroprotective properties.
7Digestive inflammatory cancer preventionMeta-AnalysisCited 34×2024
The discovery of the beneficial effects of these natural active compounds in POL supports the idea that POL could be a promising novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cancers of the digestive system.
Shao G et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2024)
The discovery of the beneficial effects of these natural active compounds in POL supports the idea that POL could be a promising novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cancers of the digestive system.
However, clinical data describing the mode of action of the naturally active compounds of POL are still lacking.
In addition, pharmacokinetic data for POL compounds, such as changes in drug dose and absorption rates, cannot be extrapolated from animal models and need to be measured in patients in clinical trials.
Our results demonstrated that apigenin, through reducing cell viability, inducing growth inhibition, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, and also by decreasing the tumor size, can be considered as a possible adjuvant agent in the management of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Ahmadzadeh K et al. · Cancer medicine (2024)
Our results demonstrated that apigenin, through reducing cell viability, inducing growth inhibition, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, and also by decreasing the tumor size, can be considered as a possible adjuvant agent in the management of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
However, further in vivo studies are needed before any efforts to translate the current evidence into clinical studies.
Overall, our findings showed the immunomodulatory potential of apigenin as an alternative treatment for the suppression of inflammatory responses and OS in different types of lung injury diseases.
Rahimi A et al. · Inflammopharmacology (2022)
Overall, our findings showed the immunomodulatory potential of apigenin as an alternative treatment for the suppression of inflammatory responses and OS in different types of lung injury diseases.
Nevertheless, due to the paucity of clinical studies, reliable preclinical models, and clinical settings, evaluating the influence of apigenin on lung injury is required in the future.
Before conducting large-scale clinical trials, detailed human pharmacokinetic studies are also needed to establish dosage ranges and determine the initial safety and tolerability of apigenin.
We furthermore discuss the implications for selected phytochemicals to interfere in thrombosis and hemostasis, indicating their possible clinical relevance.
Tamer F et al. · Thrombosis and haemostasis (2022)
We furthermore discuss the implications for selected phytochemicals to interfere in thrombosis and hemostasis, indicating their possible clinical relevance.
Lastly, we provide guidance on which compounds are of interest for further platelet-related research.Thieme.
So the synergistic effects of flavonoids with other drugs, pharmacokinetic studies, clinical trials and the safety of flavonoids are also incorporated in the discussion.
Cao Y et al. · Pharmacological research (2021)
So the synergistic effects of flavonoids with other drugs, pharmacokinetic studies, clinical trials and the safety of flavonoids are also incorporated in the discussion.
It is believed that more breakthrough studies are needed.
Overall, this review may shed some new light on the explicit recognition of the mechanisms of anti-hypertension actions of flavonoids, pointing out the limitations of relevant research at the current stage and the aspects that should be strengthened in future researches.
The heat-clearing effects of S. barbata could be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, whereas its detoxifying effects might be due to the anti-microbial functions of neo-clerodane diterpenoids and flavones.
Wang L et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2020)
The heat-clearing effects of S. barbata could be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, whereas its detoxifying effects might be due to the anti-microbial functions of neo-clerodane diterpenoids and flavones.
S. barbata may display anti-tumor effects and through active ingredient analysis, neo-clerodane diterpenoids are suggested to be its representative compounds.
Overall, many pre-clinical studies have been conducted but very little concrete evidences are available on its specific effects, which are of therapeutic relevance.
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
Sanadgol N et al. · Current drug targets (2017)
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
Apigenin, chrysin, baicalein, cyanidin, flavone glycoside, daidzein, coumestrol, sulforaphane, bee venom and huperzine A are the candidates for more prospective investigations.
16Colorectal cancer riskMeta-AnalysisCited 81×n=12 · very small study2018
Conclusions: The present study suggested that high intake of flavonols (such as quercetin) may reduce the risk of colon cancer, and high intake of flavones (such as apigenin) may reduce the risk of rectal cancer.
Chang H et al. · Nutrients (2018)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
High intake of dietary flavonols, flavones and anthocyanidins may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer; the pooled odds ratio (OR) for the highest intake compared with the lowest was 0.70 (0.54⁻0.90), 0.79 (0.83⁻0.99) and 0.78 (0.64⁻0.95), respectively.
No association between the intake of total flavonoids, flavanones or flavan-3-ols and the risk of colorectal cancer was observed.
Conclusions: The present study suggested that high intake of flavonols (such as quercetin) may reduce the risk of colon cancer, and high intake of flavones (such as apigenin) may reduce the risk of rectal cancer.
17Systematic ReviewCited 3×n=16 · very small study2017
Since there are compounds such as apigenin, the celery can induce inhibitory effects on fertility in case of chronic use or high concentration.
Kooti W et al. · Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (2017)
Of the 16 studies reviewed in this study, 13 studies have mentioned the positive effect of celery on fertility, while three studies reported the inhibitory effects of this plant.
Conclusions Celery can have protective effects against substances such as sodium valproate, propylene glycol, and diethyl phthalate causing damages to the testicular structure and spermatogenesis.
In this regard, the doses used and the treatment time while using the plant must be accurately investigated.
Moreover, Salvia coccinea regulates wound healing after infection, injury, or surgery, in addition to improving agricultural productivity by reducing rodent attacks.
Khalid MU, Sultan MT, Maaz M, Zafar S, Shoukat A, Khursheed N, Bordiga M, Junaid A. · Food science & nutrition (2026)
They attenuate inflammation-induced disorders such as cardiovascular and neurological disorders via down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, CRP, COX-2, LPO, TGF-β1, NF-κB, and TNF-α), and pathways (IRAK4, MAPK, JAK/STAT3, TLR4, and ERK).
The antimicrobial properties against multiple bacterial, viral, and fungal strains make them effective candidates for alleviating microbial disorders.
Furthermore, apigenin and Salvia coccinea promote hypoglycemic effect by attenuating α-amylase activity, cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, DRP1 expression by improving GLUT4, GSK-3β, AMPK/PI3K/Nrf2, and Akt pathways.
19Cancer cell death and anticancer activityReview2025
Results obtained from both cell-based and animal studies indicate that apigenin, vitexin, and apigetrin possess protective effects against cancer development, demonstrating anticancer activity by promoting apoptosis and/or autophagy.
Bhosale PB, Jeong SH, Kim HH, Heo JD, Hwang KH, Moon YG, Ahn M, Seong JK, Won C, Kim GS. · International journal of molecular sciences (2025)
Apigetrin, a glycoside form of apigenin found in many foods and medicinal herbs, shows several health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, pain-relieving, and brain-protective effects.
The article highlights recent advancements in research on the anti-tumor properties of apigenin, vitexin, and apigetrin, along with their potential mechanisms.
It provides a comprehensive summary of their anticancer actions, offering insights and references for cancer treatment strategies.
20Menopausal symptoms severityRCTCited 1×n=80 · small study2025
Chamomile intervention shows promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms, but its use warrants caution due to associated side effects.
Mohsenzadeh-Ledari F et al. · Menopause (New York, N.Y.) (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Notable differences were found between the intervention and control groups in the overall scores on the symptom scorecard from baseline to 12 weeks' postintervention (-10.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], -13.84 to -6.92; P < 0.001).
Specific subscores also improved in the intervention group: vasomotor (-2.25; 95% CI, -3.09 to -1.42; P < 0.001), psychological (-3.74; 95% CI, -5.29 to -2.20; P < 0.001), locomotor (-2.70; 95% CI, -3.63 to -1.77; P < 0.001), and urological (-1.89; 95% CI, -2.77 to -1.00; P < 0.001).
Chamomile intervention shows promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms, but its use warrants caution due to associated side effects.