Apigenin and Cancer
Apigenin is a plant flavonoid. The potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action of apigenin are an important reason for its effects in cancer treatment.
The role of natural compounds in cancer prevention and treatment has been realized by modulating cell signaling pathways [14,15]. Apigenin regulates different molecular pathways, such as tumor suppressor genes, angiogenesis (formation of blood vessels in the tumor) and induces autophagy and apoptosis (cell death)
Apigenin's ability to fight cancer lies in its unique mechanisms of action.
Research has shown that apigenin can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis or programmed cell death in cancer cells. It does this by targeting several signaling pathways involved in cell growth and survival. For example, apigenin has been found to suppress the activation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways, which are often dysregulated in cancer cells. In doing so, apigenin can effectively inhibit tumor growth and progression.
Apigenin can effectively inhibit tumor growth and progression.
In addition, apigenin has been found to exert its anticancer effects by modulating the expression of specific genes involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair.
This compound can negatively regulate oncogenes and upregulate tumor suppressor genes, effectively restoring the normal balance within cancer cells. In addition, apigenin has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors, thus depriving cancer cells of their life-sustaining resources.
Tumor growth and metastasis are critical factors contributing to cancer progression and poor patient outcomes. Apigenin has demonstrated its potential to inhibit both processes. Studies have shown that apigenin can suppress the growth of several types of cancer cells, including breast, prostate, lung, pancreas, ovary and colon. This inhibition occurs through regulation of cell cycle progression, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis.
In addition to inhibiting tumor growth, apigenin has also shown promise in the prevention of metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to distant sites in the body.
Metastasis is often the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Apigenin exerts its antimetastatic effects by inhibiting cancer cell invasion and migration. It does so by modulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that play a crucial role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
By down-regulating MMPs, apigenin effectively limits the ability of cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues and form secondary tumors.
Combining different therapeutic agents to improve their efficacy is a common strategy in cancer treatment. Apigenin has shown promise in combination with other anticancer agents, showing synergistic effects that may enhance their individual anticancer properties. For example, studies have shown that apigenin can enhance the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, in various cancer cell lines.
Recent studies have shown that apigenin treatment significantly inhibited proliferation of human breast cancer cells.
Apigenin appears to be a promising new treatment candidate against cervical cancer caused by various genotypes of the human papillomavirus.
Scientific publications on apigenin in cancer treatment
- Oh HM, Cho CK et al. (2024). Experimental evidence for anti-metastatic actions of apigenin: a mini review. Front Oncol. 2024 Mar 7;14:1380194. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1380194. PMID: 38515580; PMCID: PMC10954815.
- Pratas A, Malhão B et al. (2024) Effects of apigenin on gastric cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother. 2024 Feb 6;172:116251. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116251. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38330709.
- Lotfi MS, Rassouli FB. (2024) Natural Flavonoid Apigenin, an Effective Agent Against Nervous System Cancers. Mol Neurobiol. 2024 Jan 11. doi: 10.1007/s12035-024-03917-y. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38206472.
- Singh D, Khan MA et al. (2024) Apigenin enhances sorafenib anti-tumour efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Transl Oncol. 2024 Feb 22;43:101920. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101920. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38394865.
- Sain A, Khamrai D et al. (2023) Apigenin exerts anti-cancer effects in colon cancer by targeting HSP90AA1. J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2023 Dec 29:1-13. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2299305. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38157250.
