The Potential Role of Apigenin in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. In spite of advances in the treatment of cancer, currently used treatment modules including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy causes adverse effects and kills the normal cells. Therefore, the goal of more effective and less side effects-based cancer treatment approaches is still at the primary position of present research. Medicinal plants or their bioactive ingredients act as dynamic sources of drugs due to their having less side effects and also shows the role in reduction of resistance against cancer therapy. Apigenin is an edible plant-derived flavonoid that has received significant scientific consideration for its health-promoting potential through modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress and various other biological activities. Moreover, the anti-cancer potential of apigenin is confirmed through its ability to modulate various cell signalling pathways, including tumor suppressor genes, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle, inflammation, apoptosis, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, MAPK/ERK and STAT3 pathways. The current review mainly emphases the potential role of apigenin in different types of cancer through the modulation of various cell signaling pathways. Further studies based on clinical trials are needed to explore the role of apigenin in cancer management and explain the possible potential mechanisms of action in this vista.

Anticancer Potential of Apigenin and Isovitexin with Focus on Oncogenic Metabolism in Cancer Stem Cells

“…Lately, apigenin has been scrutinized for its low toxicity and anticancer activities [ 11 ]. Apigenin was demonstrated to inhibit different cancers in vitro and in vivo via multiple mechanisms, such as the induction of cell cycle arrest and abrogating cell invasion and migration, triggering the host immune response, and inducing cell apoptosis and autophagy via the activation of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that apigenin can inhibit tumor-initiating properties [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Flavonoid Components, Distribution, and Biological Activities in Taxus: A review

“…Apigenin 1 had a synergistic effect along with paclitaxel in cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells, leading to 29% decrease of cell viability and 24% improvement of cell apoptosis with the combination index of 0.3918 ± 0.0436 [ 105 ]. Similarly, there was a synergistic inhibitory effect on human colorectal carcinoma resulting from luteolin 2 and oxaliplatin [ 10 ].…”

The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in Molecular Mechanisms Inducing Apoptosis in Tumor Cells: A Promising Adjuvant in Cancer Therapy

“…Apigenin, a member of the flavone family, is a nutraceutical that has been reported to be an anticancer agent in several experimental studies. It is able to reduce cell growth and induce apoptosis in different tumors such as skin, colon, prostate, breast, lung, liver, pancreas, cervical, oral and stomach [ 118 , 119 ]. Apigenin triggers both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis.…”