Apigenin: A current review on its beneficial biological activities

Apigenin, identified as 4,5,7-trihydroxyflavone, is a natural flavonoid compound present in a variety of fruits, vegetables, functional foods, and medicinal plants. Many studies have revealed that apigenin has the cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on the various cancer cells, prevents the atherogenesis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemia/reperfusion-induced heart injury, and autoimmune myocarditis, protects the chemicals- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury, inhibits the asthma, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, abnormal behavior, and oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced neural cell apoptosis, improves the pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes and its complication, osteoporosis, and collagen-induced arthritis. These biological effects suggest that apigenin may be a potential health promoting agent. In the article, we will review these effects and possible biochemical mechanisms. Practical applicationsApigenin-rich chamomile, propolis, and garlic oil have been used in the prevention ane cure of hypertension and chemicals-induced liver injury as food supplements. However, their bioactive components and mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Apigenin may be a common effective component and play an important role in the process of therapy. In addition, apigenin itself may also be considered as a potential functional food, but the further development will be needed to apply to the prevention and treatment of some-related diseases in the future.