Apigenin contains a wealth of health codes and has a positive impact on many physiological processes of the human body. Whether it is cardiovascular health, immune regulation, or potential anti-cancer effects, apigenin has shown remarkable effects, attracting countless scientific researchers to conduct in-depth research, and also making people who pay attention to health full of expectations for it.
So, what exactly is apigenin? Where does it come from? What kind of magical effects does it have? Next, let us explore the world of apigenin in depth and unveil its mysterious veil.
Basic Information About Apigenin
Chemical Structure
Apigenin, also known as apigenin or apigenin, has a unique structure that gives it many special chemical properties and biological activities. In its structure, hydroxyl groups are connected to the 5, 7, and 4′ positions, respectively. The presence of these hydroxyl groups plays a key role in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of apigenin.
For example, they can provide hydrogen atoms to remove free radicals in the body, thereby exerting antioxidant effects. At the same time, this structure also determines the active site of apigenin in chemical reactions, enabling it to interact with other biological molecules and thus affect the physiological functions of cells.
Physical Properties
Pure apigenin usually appears as a yellow crystalline powder with bright color, odorless and tasteless. It is a natural antioxidant. Its melting point is high, reaching 345-350°C, which indicates that it has a relatively stable molecular structure and can remain solid under normal temperature conditions.
In terms of solubility, apigenin exhibits typical fat-soluble characteristics and is almost insoluble in water. This is because most of its molecular structure is a non-polar carbon-hydrogen skeleton, and the interaction force between it and polar water molecules is weak.
However, it is partially soluble in hot alcohol. This is because the polarity of alcohol is relatively moderate and has a certain lipophilicity, which can form a certain interaction with apigenin molecules, so that apigenin has a certain solubility in hot alcohol.
In addition, apigenin can also be dissolved in dilute KOH solution. This is because under alkaline conditions, the hydroxyl groups in the apigenin molecules can react with the base to form water-soluble salts, thereby increasing its solubility in the solution.
Nature’s “Apigenin Treasure”
Common Plant Sources
Apigenin is widely found in many plants, and nature seems to be a natural “treasure trove of apigenin”. Celery, as the vegetable with the highest apigenin content, deserves to be the main channel for people to obtain apigenin. In addition to celery, chamomile is also one of the high-quality sources of apigenin.
It not only has a unique aroma, but also contains a large amount of apigenin. It is often used to make tea and is deeply loved by people. Broccoli, onions and other vegetables also contain a certain amount of apigenin, which protects people’s health.
In the world of fruits, common fruits such as apples and oranges also contain apigenin. These fruits are delicious and easy to eat, allowing people to enjoy delicious food while also taking in apigenin that is beneficial to health.
These vegetables and fruits, with their rich apigenin content, have become an indispensable part of people’s daily diet and provide natural support for human health.
Distribution Pattern
In the plant kingdom, the distribution of apigenin shows a certain pattern. It is mainly found in plant groups such as Thymelaeaceae, Verbenaceae, and Selaginellaceae. There are also obvious differences in the content of apigenin in different plant parts.
Generally speaking, the content of apigenin in leaves and flowers of plants is relatively high. In contrast, the content of apigenin in roots, stems and other parts of plants is relatively low. This distribution pattern is closely related to the physiological functions and growth needs of plants, reflecting the wonder and wisdom of nature.
Amazing Health Benefits
Antioxidant Pioneer
During the metabolism of the human body, free radicals are constantly generated, such as superoxide anion free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals. These free radicals are highly active and will attack biological macromolecules in cells, such as DNA, proteins and lipids, leading to oxidative damage, and then causing various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.
As a natural antioxidant, apigenin can effectively remove these free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage. Its antioxidant effect is mainly achieved in the following ways.
Multiple hydroxyl groups in the molecular structure of apigenin, such as the hydroxyl groups at the 4′, 5, and 7 positions, can provide hydrogen atoms, combine with free radicals, and convert them into stable products, thereby removing free radicals.
Apigenin can also enhance the antioxidant defense ability of cells by activating the antioxidant enzyme system in cells. Apigenin can upregulate the gene expression of these antioxidant enzymes, increase their activity, and enable cells to better cope with oxidative stress.
In addition, apigenin also has metal ion chelation. In the body, some transition metal ions, such as iron ions and copper ions, can catalyze the production of free radicals, such as catalyzing hydrogen peroxide to produce highly active hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction.
Apigenin can bind to these metal ions to form stable chelates, reduce the activity of metal ions, and thus inhibit the production of free radicals.
In an in vitro chemical simulation system, the addition of apigenin can effectively inhibit the hydroxyl radicals produced by the Fenton reaction and reduce the oxidative damage of free radicals to biological molecules. This shows that the metal ion chelation of apigenin plays an important role in the antioxidant process.
The Patron Saint of Cardiovascular System
With the improvement of living standards and changes in lifestyle, cardiovascular disease has become one of the main diseases threatening human health.
The incidence of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis has increased year by year, bringing a huge burden to people’s health. Apigenin plays a significant role in maintaining cardiovascular health and is known as the “guardian” of cardiovascular.
The increase in blood pressure is closely related to the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels. Apigenin has the effect of vasodilation, which can promote the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, reduce peripheral vascular resistance, and thus lower blood pressure.
Hyperlipidemia is one of the important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is mainly manifested in increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood, and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Apigenin can regulate blood lipid metabolism through various pathways. It can inhibit the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in the liver and reduce the production of lipids. Apigenin can also promote lipid catabolism, increase the oxidation of fatty acids, and reduce the content of lipids in the blood.
Apigenin can also regulate the activity of lipoprotein metabolism-related enzymes, such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL), promote the clearance of LDL, increase the level of HDL, and thus improve blood lipid status.
Atherosclerosis is the pathological basis of cardiovascular disease, and its occurrence is closely related to factors such as abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, inflammatory response, and lipid deposition.
Apigenin can inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and prevent the thickening of vascular walls. Apigenin also has anti-inflammatory effects, which can inhibit the activation of inflammatory cells and the release of inflammatory mediators, and reduce the inflammatory response of the vascular wall.
In addition, apigenin can prevent the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein and reduce the damage of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to vascular endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.
The Secret Weapon Against Tumors
Cancer has always been a major disease that threatens human life and health, and has brought heavy pain to countless patients and families.
For many years, researchers have been tirelessly exploring various effective anti-cancer methods and drugs, and apigenin, as a natural plant ingredient, has shown great potential in the field of anti-tumor and has become the focus of attention.
A large number of studies have shown that apigenin can inhibit the growth of a variety of tumor cells, including breast cancer, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, etc.
It can achieve this effect through a variety of mechanisms. Apigenin can interfere with the signal transduction pathways of tumor cells and affect cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.
Inducing tumor cell apoptosis is one of the important mechanisms of apigenin’s anti-tumor effect. When cells become cancerous, the apoptosis mechanism is often inhibited, resulting in unlimited proliferation of cancer cells. Apigenin can activate the apoptosis signaling pathway in tumor cells and induce apoptosis of cancer cells.
Tumor metastasis is a major problem in cancer treatment and one of the main reasons for poor prognosis in patients. Apigenin also plays an important role in inhibiting tumor metastasis. It can inhibit the migration and invasion of tumor cells and reduce the spread of tumor cells to surrounding tissues and distant organs.
In addition to the above-mentioned mechanisms of action, apigenin can also inhibit tumor growth and development by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and cutting off the nutrient supply of tumor cells.
Tumor growth and metastasis depend on the formation of new blood vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients to tumor cells. Apigenin can inhibit the expression and activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, prevent the proliferation, migration and lumen formation of vascular endothelial cells, and thus inhibit tumor angiogenesis.
Antibacterial and Antiviral Expert
In daily life, we are often invaded by various bacteria, fungi and viruses. Infectious diseases caused by these pathogens pose many threats to our health. Apigenin, with its unique antibacterial and antiviral properties, has shown important application prospects in the field of anti-infection and has become another guardian of our health.
Many studies have shown that apigenin has a significant inhibitory effect on common bacteria. For Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, apigenin can destroy their cell wall structure, making the cell wall fragile, causing cell contents to leak, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth.
Although apigenin has a relatively weak inhibitory effect on Gram-negative bacteria, it can still effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of these bacteria at a certain concentration.
In addition to bacteria, apigenin also has an inhibitory effect on some fungi. Candida albicans is a common pathogenic fungus that is prone to infection in the skin, mucous membranes and other parts. Apigenin can inhibit the growth and reproduction of Candida albicans by interfering with its cell membrane function and intracellular signal transduction pathways.
In terms of antiviral, apigenin also shows certain potential. Studies have found that apigenin has an inhibitory effect on influenza virus, herpes simplex virus, etc.
It can prevent viral infection and spread by inhibiting the adsorption, invasion, and replication of the virus. Apigenin can also interfere with the replication process of the virus in the cell, inhibit the synthesis of viral proteins, and reduce the production of the virus.
Other Health Benefits
In the fast-paced modern life, people are facing various pressures, prone to anxiety, insomnia and other problems, and memory may also be affected. The efficacy of apigenin in calming the mind, improving sleep and improving memory provides new hope for people to alleviate these troubles.
Apigenin can regulate the function of the nervous system and inhibit the excessive excitement of nerve cells, so that people can feel relaxed and peaceful. For those who are in a state of tension for a long time and are prone to anxiety, consuming foods rich in apigenin or supplementing apigenin may help relieve anxiety and relax the body and mind.
Good sleep is one of the important factors in maintaining physical health, however, insomnia troubles many people. Apigenin has a certain effect on improving sleep.
Apigenin can regulate the expression of genes related to the biological clock, help people adjust their sleep rhythm, and make sleep more regular. For insomnia patients, appropriate intake of apigenin may be a safe and natural way to improve sleep.
With the increase of age, people’s memory tends to gradually decline, which brings many inconveniences to daily life. The role of apigenin in improving memory has also attracted the attention of researchers.
Studies have shown that apigenin can promote the growth and differentiation of nerve cells and strengthen the connection between nerve cells, thereby improving memory. It can also protect nerve cells from damage and maintain the normal function of nerve cells through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The Exploration of Extraction and Synthesis
Natural Extraction Method
In the exploration of apigenin extraction, researchers have been trying various methods, and solvent extraction, macroporous resin purification, supercritical CO2 fluid method, etc. have become the main research directions.
Solvent extraction is a relatively traditional and widely used method. It uses organic solvents to extract apigenin based on the principle of like dissolves like. However, this method also has some obvious disadvantages.
Since a large amount of organic solvents are used in the extraction process, it will not only cause solvent residue problems, affect the quality and safety of the product, but also cause environmental pollution.
The purity of apigenin obtained by this method is relatively low, and often cannot meet the needs of medicine, food and other fields with high purity requirements.
Macroporous resin purification method uses the adsorption and desorption characteristics of macroporous resin on apigenin to achieve the separation and purification of apigenin. Macroporous resin has a large specific surface area and pore size, and can selectively adsorb flavonoid compounds such as apigenin.
The advantage of macroporous resin purification method is that it can effectively improve the purity of apigenin, and the operation is relatively simple and the cost is low. This method also has some shortcomings, such as relatively low yield and is not suitable for large-scale industrial production.
Supercritical CO2 fluid method is a relatively new extraction technology that uses the special properties of supercritical CO2 fluid to extract apigenin. In the supercritical state, CO2 fluid has good solubility for apigenin.
When the pressure or temperature changes, its solubility for apigenin will also change, thereby achieving the extraction and separation of apigenin. The supercritical CO2 fluid method has many advantages, such as low operating temperature, which can better protect the active ingredients of apigenin from being destroyed.
No organic solvent is used in the extraction process, avoiding solvent residue and environmental pollution problems. The extraction efficiency is high, and apigenin can be quickly extracted from the raw material. This method also has some limitations, such as large equipment investment, high operating costs, and strict technical requirements.
Semisynthesis and Biosynthesis
In addition to extracting apigenin from natural plants, semi-synthetic and biosynthetic methods also provide new ways to obtain apigenin.
The semi-synthetic method usually uses natural extracts as raw materials to synthesize apigenin through chemical reactions. This method is relatively simple to operate, the reaction conditions are relatively stable, easy to control, and the product is easy to separate and purify.
The total yield of the product can reach 60%-70%, and the purity can reach more than 97%. However, this method also has some disadvantages, such as the use of 1,4-dioxane, which is highly toxic and expensive, and is easy to cause environmental pollution and lead to high production costs.
The crude apigenin generated by oxidative dehydrogenation needs to go through complex processing steps, which are cumbersome and time-consuming.
The biosynthetic method uses enzymes or microorganisms in organisms to synthesize apigenin. It has the advantages of being green, pollution-free, economical, and efficient. It is an important development direction for the synthesis of apigenin.
The biosynthetic method can also use plant cell culture technology to culture plant cells in vitro, and by regulating the culture conditions, the cells can synthesize apigenin. Although the biosynthesis method has many advantages, it is still in the research stage and there are some technical problems to be solved, such as low synthesis efficiency and high production cost.
However, with the continuous development and innovation of biotechnology, it is believed that the biosynthesis method is expected to become an important method for apigenin production in the future.
People Who Are Suitable for Apigenin
Apigenin is a natural flavonoid compound with multiple physiological activities.
The following are some people who are suitable for apigenin:
People at risk of cardiovascular disease: Apigenin has the effects of lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, inhibiting platelet aggregation and improving endothelial function, which helps prevent atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
People who are in cancer prevention and adjuvant treatment: Studies have shown that apigenin has certain anti-tumor activity, can induce tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibit tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Although it cannot be used as a single anti-cancer treatment method, it can be used as a means of cancer prevention and adjuvant treatment, suitable for people who are concerned about cancer prevention and are undergoing cancer treatment.
People with inflammatory diseases: Apigenin has anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce chronic inflammatory reactions in the body. For people with inflammatory-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, enteritis, and hepatitis, it may help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammatory damage.
People with oxidative stress-related problems: Because apigenin has antioxidant properties, it can remove free radicals in the body and reduce the damage of oxidative stress to cells and tissues, so it is suitable for people with various problems caused by oxidative stress, such as skin aging and decreased immunity.
People who want to prevent neurological diseases: Some studies have found that apigenin has a protective effect on the nervous system and may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Middle-aged and elderly people and people with a family history of related diseases can consider appropriate supplementation.
It should be noted that although apigenin has many health benefits, it is generally not recommended to supplement apigenin preparations in large quantities on your own. Usually, you can get a certain amount of apigenin by eating foods rich in apigenin, such as celery, citrus fruits, chamomile tea, etc.
If you have specific health problems or need to use apigenin supplements, it is best to do so under the guidance of a doctor or professional.
Shining Applications in Multiple Fields
Medical Field
In the field of medicine, apigenin has shown great application potential and has become a new hot spot for drug development and adjuvant therapy.
In the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, apigenin is regarded as a potential cardiovascular disease treatment drug because of its good blood pressure lowering, blood lipid regulation and anti-atherosclerosis effects.
In the development of anticancer drugs, apigenin has also attracted much attention. Its inhibitory effect on a variety of tumor cells makes it an important candidate for anticancer drug development.
Researchers are studying how to improve the anticancer effect of apigenin and how to combine it with other anticancer drugs to enhance the therapeutic effect and reduce side effects.
In addition to being developed as a new drug, apigenin can also be used as an adjuvant therapy drug in combination with existing drugs to improve the therapeutic effect.
Apigenin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can reduce the damage to the patient’s body caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, alleviate side effects, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
In the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, apigenin is used in combination with antihypertensive drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, etc. to enhance the efficacy of drugs and better control blood pressure and blood lipid levels.
Health Care Products Industry
As people’s health awareness continues to improve, the health care product market is becoming increasingly prosperous. Apigenin has emerged in the health care product industry with its rich health benefits.
Many health care product companies use apigenin as a raw material to develop various types of health care products to meet consumers’ health needs.
Health care products with apigenin as the main ingredient have multiple functions. Some health care products emphasize the antioxidant effect of apigenin, which can help consumers remove free radicals in the body, delay aging, and maintain good health.
Some health care products focus on the protective effect of apigenin on cardiovascular health, which can regulate blood lipids, lower blood pressure, and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
Long-term use of health care products containing apigenin can help them maintain the health of the cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
In addition, apigenin also has the effect of calming the nerves and improving sleep. Therefore, some health care products use it as an ingredient to improve sleep quality.
For those who suffer from long-term insomnia and anxiety, taking such health care products can help them relieve anxiety, promote sleep, improve sleep quality, and thus improve their living conditions.
In the market, health products with apigenin as raw material are in various forms, including capsules, tablets, oral liquids, etc., which are convenient for consumers to choose according to their needs and preferences.
There are many brands of these health products, and the quality is also uneven. When choosing, consumers should pay attention to choosing regular channels to buy, and check the relevant certification and test reports of the products to ensure the quality and safety of the products.
The New Darling of Cosmetics
In the pursuit of beauty and skin health, people are constantly looking for natural and effective skin care ingredients, and apigenin has become a new favorite in the cosmetics field with its unique efficacy.
Its outstanding performance in whitening, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammatory aspects has brought new solutions to skin care.
Apigenin can inhibit the activity of melanocytes and reduce the synthesis of melanin, thereby achieving a whitening effect. Adding apigenin to some whitening cosmetics can help the skin fade spots, brighten the skin tone, and make the skin whiter and more translucent.
Apigenin has a strong antioxidant effect, which can remove free radicals in the skin and protect skin cells from oxidative damage.
It can inhibit lipid peroxidation, reduce the generation of oxidation products such as malondialdehyde in the skin, and at the same time increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the skin, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, etc., to enhance the skin’s antioxidant capacity. In antioxidant cosmetics, apigenin can effectively delay skin aging and maintain skin elasticity and luster.
Apigenin has a significant anti-inflammatory effect, which can inhibit the activation of inflammatory cells and the release of inflammatory mediators, and reduce the inflammatory response of the skin.
Adding apigenin to cosmetics with anti-inflammatory effects can soothe the skin, reduce inflammatory symptoms, repair damaged skin, and restore the skin to a healthy state.
Based on these effects of apigenin, it is widely used in various cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, essences, masks, sunscreens, etc. In sunscreens, apigenin can not only absorb ultraviolet rays and play a role in sun protection, but also reduce the damage of ultraviolet rays to the skin, prevent sunburn, tanning and photoaging.
Adding apigenin to facial masks can replenish nutrients for the skin in a short time, enhance the skin’s moisturizing ability, and improve the overall condition of the skin.
New Choice of Feed Additives
In animal husbandry, improving animal immunity and promoting its growth and development are the key to ensuring breeding benefits and animal health.
As a natural and safe substance, apigenin has shown unique advantages in the field of feed additives and provides a new choice for the development of animal husbandry.
Apigenin has antibacterial and antiviral effects, which can help animals resist infection by pathogens and improve immunity. Adding apigenin to feed can inhibit the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria and viruses in animals and reduce the occurrence of diseases.
In addition to improving immunity, apigenin can also promote the growth and development of animals. It can regulate the metabolic process in animals, promote the absorption and utilization of nutrients, and improve the conversion rate of feed.
As a feed additive, apigenin not only has good efficacy, but also has the advantages of being natural, safe, and residue-free, which meets the needs of modern animal husbandry for green and environmentally friendly feed additives.
As people’s attention to food safety and animal health continues to increase, the application prospects of apigenin in the field of feed additives will be broader.
The Future of Apigenin
With the continuous deepening of research, apigenin is increasingly widely used in the fields of medicine, health products, cosmetics, feed additives, etc., making important contributions to the improvement of human health and quality of life.
Although remarkable results have been achieved so far, there are still many unknown areas waiting for us to explore, and many technical problems need to be overcome. In the future, researchers are expected to further study the mechanism of action of apigenin, reveal more of its biological activities and functions, and provide a more solid theoretical basis for its application.
In terms of extraction and synthesis technology, continuous innovation and optimization will be carried out to improve the yield and purity of apigenin, reduce production costs, and make it easier to mass produce and apply.
In the field of application, apigenin may play a role in the treatment of more diseases and bring new hope to patients. It will also show greater potential in the fields of functional foods, green agriculture, etc., and provide more support for people’s healthy life and sustainable development. As a natural treasure, apigenin is full of infinite possibilities in the future, so let us wait and see.
