Apigenin role as cell-signaling pathways modulator: implications in cancer prevention and treatment

Abstract

Cancer is a complex disease orchestrated by various extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. In recent years, there has been a keen interest towards the development of natural extracts-based cancer therapeutics with minimum adverse effects. In pursuit of effective strategy, a wide variety of natural products-derived compounds have been addressed for their anticancer effects. Apigenin is a naturally-occurring flavonoid present abundantly in various fruits and vegetables. Decades of research have delineated the pharmacological and biological properties of apigenin. Specifically, the apigenin-mediated anticancer activities have been documented in various types of cancer, but the generalized scientific evidence encompassing various molecular interactions and processes, such as regulation of the apoptotic machinery, aberrant cell signaling and oncogenic protein network have not been comprehensively covered. In this sense, in this review we have attempted to focus on the apigenin-mediated regulation of oncogenic pathways in various cancers. We have also addressed the cutting-edge research which has unveiled the remarkable abilities of apigenin to interact with microRNAs to modulate key cellular processes, with special emphasis on the nano-formulations of apigenin that can help their targeted delivery and can be a therapeutic solution for the treatment of various cancers.

Targeting of cancer cell death mechanisms by curcumin: Implications to cancer therapy

“…Curcumin, resveratrol, metformin, melatonin, apigenin and some others are examples that have been shown to sensitise cancer cells to therapy while reducing toxicity to normal tissue/cell. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] In this review, we focus on the effects of curcumin on the induction of cell death in cancers. Some cancers may show resistance to a type of cell death.…”

Multiple Myeloma Inhibitory Activity of Plant Natural Products

“…Apigenin is one of the most abundant flavonoids in plant kingdom and therefore has been the target of various investigations for its use as anticancer agent and for its role in cancer prevention [ 102 , 103 , 104 ]. In these studies, the compound showed anticancer potential via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest as well as the downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and interaction with miRNAs.…”

“…In these studies, the compound showed anticancer potential via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest as well as the downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and interaction with miRNAs. However, apigenin was also found to undergo rapid elimination, thus raising the need for, e.g., nanoformulations to increase its bioavailability [ 104 ]. The compound has been studied for its effect on U266 and RPMI8226 cell lines and primary MM cells, where it inhibited proliferation (without affecting healthy PBMCs), influenced cell cycle progression and induced programmed cell death [ 105 ].…”

Immunomodulatory Effects of a Concoction of Natural Bioactive Compounds—Mechanistic Insights

“…The PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway can become unusually activated in several human cancers. Its activation can enhance cancer cell proliferation, tumour growth, angiogenesis, and survival, making it the most common route through which bioactive components induce apoptosis in cancer cells [ 35 ]. The signaling cascades get stimulated by either B and T cell receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases, cytokines, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), integrins, and other stimuli such as insulin and other growth factors.…”