In the busy modern life, more and more people are beginning to pay attention to how to maintain and improve their health through natural ways.
Among the many natural compounds, Apigenin has become a hot topic for researchers and health seekers due to its diverse biological activities.
What is apigenin?
Apigenin, also known as apigenin or apiin, is a flavonoid compound. Its chemical name is 4',5, 7-trihydroxyflavone, the molecular formula is C15H10O5, and the molecular weight is 270.237. Apigenin is widely distributed in nature, especially in Daphne family, verbena family, selaginaceae plants rich in content, and our daily consumption of celery is the main natural source.
Bioactivity of apigenin
In recent years, a large number of studies have revealed the rich biological activities of apigenin, including anti-tumor, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant. Apigenin has carcinogenic activity that inhibits carcinogens, acts as an antiviral drug for the treatment of HIV and other viral infections, and is also thought to act as an inhibitor of MAP kinase, and has shown potential in the treatment of various inflammations. In addition, apigenin also helps to delay aging, calm and calm the mind, and reduce blood pressure.
Application of apigenin in medical and health products
Due to its low toxicity and high permeability, apigenin has been used in many fields such as health care products, cosmetics, feed, dietary supplements and medicine. In the field of medicine, apigenin has shown great potential in the fight against nervous system cancers, such as glioblastoma and neuroblastoma, by activating a variety of signaling pathways and molecular targets to achieve the killing of cancer cells. At the same time, apigenin also showed improvement on obesity-induced insulin resistance, which provides a new idea for the treatment of diabetes.
Application of apigenin in cosmetics
In cosmetics, apigenin is also gaining popularity. Its strong ability to absorb UV rays makes it an ideal ingredient for sunscreen cosmetics. In addition, apigenin can also inhibit the activity of melanocytes, added to sunscreen, cream, serum and other products, can effectively reduce skin pigmentation. In low concentrations, apigenin can even be used as a skin toner and added to tanning oils. These properties of apigenin make it widely used in the formulation of cosmetics.
Daily intake of apigenin
While we can't ingest large amounts of apigenin directly in the form of drugs, fortunately, apigenin is readily available in our daily diet. In addition to celery, vegetables and fruits such as Onions, garlic, parsley, kale, grapefruit and kumquats are also rich in apigenin. With a balanced diet, we can easily consume this healthy compound.
The role of apigenin
Apigenin, as a naturally occurring flavonoid, has a wide range of biological activities and has many positive effects on human health. Here are the main effects of apigenin:
1. Anti-cancer effect
Apigenin has shown remarkable potential in anti-cancer. It can induce apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, and enhance the function of the immune system to help the body fight cancer. Studies have shown that apigenin has an inhibitory effect on breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer and other cancers.
2. Anti-inflammatory effect
Apigenin has a significant anti-inflammatory effect, which can inhibit the inflammatory response and reduce the tissue damage and pain caused by inflammation. It can do this by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators and reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Therefore, apigenin is helpful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, enteritis and dermatitis.
3. Antioxidant effect
Apigenin is a powerful antioxidant that cleans up free radicals in the body and protects cells from oxidative damage. This antioxidant effect helps to delay aging and prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
4. Protect the nervous system
Apigenin has a protective effect on the nervous system, which can improve the survival and function of neurons and reduce the death of neurons. Research has shown that apigenin has some potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
5. Blood pressure lowering effect
Apigenin has a blood pressure lowering effect, can dilate blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and improve cardiovascular health. This is good news for people with high blood pressure because apigenin can be used as an adjunct antihypertensive drug.
6. Improve your sleep
Apigenin also has a calming and calming effect, which can improve sleep quality and reduce problems such as insomnia and anxiety. This is a great option for those who often suffer from insomnia or anxiety.
7. Protect your liver
Apigenin can reduce liver damage and promote liver cell repair and regeneration. This is a useful supplement for patients with liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
8. Antibacterial effect
Apigenin also has a certain antibacterial effect, which can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria and reduce the risk of infection. This is helpful for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
In general, apigenin, as a naturally occurring flavonoid, has a variety of biological activities and has many positive effects on human health. However, it is important to note that while apigenin has these effects, it is not a substitute for medical treatment. When using apigenin, you should follow your doctor's advice and guidance to ensure it is safe and effective.
Apigenin source
Apigenin is a flavonoid compound that is widely distributed in nature, especially in some specific foods. The following are the main food sources from which apigenin can be obtained:
Celery: Celery is one of the most important sources of apigenin, especially the leaves and stems of celery (also known as parsley) contain high levels of apigenin.
Cilantro: Cilantro is also a great source of apigenin. Studies show that dried cilantro contains a lot of apigenin per gram, much higher than some other vegetables.
Chamomile: Chamomile is also rich in apigenin. Dried chamomile is also high in apigenin, making it a recommended vegetarian source of celery.
Other vegetables: In addition to the vegetables mentioned above, Onions, apples, oranges and other fruits and vegetables also contain a certain amount of apigenin.
Ingredients in the Mediterranean diet: Common ingredients in the Mediterranean diet, such as archokes and oregano, are also high in apigenin. Not only are these ingredients delicious, they also have certain health benefits.
In addition, apigenin is also widely present in Daphne family, Verbena family, selaginaceae plants, as well as scrophulariaceae plants, polygonaceae Polygonaceae, Liliaceae trichoveratrum, pinaceae plants. It is also high in some medicinal plants such as psyllium and Luteum, etc., and it is also distributed in plant-derived beverages such as tea, wine and some condiments.
Apigenin, the guardian of our health given by nature, has become a hot spot in modern health research because of its various biological activities and wide application prospects. From anti-cancer to anti-aging, from cosmetics to health products, apigenin shows its charm everywhere. With a proper diet and lifestyle, we can make the most of this natural gift and safeguard our health.
In the future, with the deepening of research and technological progress, the application field of apigenin will be further expanded, bringing more surprises to human health. Let's hope for the infinite possibilities of this little compound.
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