Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.4K

Apigenin's anticancer properties and molecular mechanisms of action: Recent advances and future prospectives

Jumah Masoud Mohammad Salmani1, Xiao-Ping Zhang1, Joe Antony Jacob1

  • 1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.

Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines
|June 1, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Apigenin, a plant-derived compound, shows significant anti-cancer effects by influencing multiple molecular pathways like apoptosis and DNA repair. Further research is recommended to explore its potential as a chemo-preventive agent.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Phytochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cancer represents a significant global health and economic burden.
  • Plant-derived compounds are increasingly explored for chemo-preventive properties.
  • Apigenin, a flavonoid, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in the anti-proliferative and chemo-preventive effects of apigenin.
  • To summarize apigenin's mechanisms of action in various cancer models.
  • To highlight apigenin's potential as a chemosensitizing agent.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical cancer models.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways involved in apigenin's anti-cancer activity.
  • Examination of evidence for apoptosis, ROS, DNA damage/repair, and autophagy.

Main Results:

  • Apigenin demonstrates anti-proliferative effects through complex, multifactorial molecular pathways.
  • Evidence supports the involvement of apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and DNA damage/repair in apigenin's action.
  • Controversial findings exist regarding the role of autophagy in apigenin's anticancer effects.
  • Apigenin shows potential for chemosensitization via up-regulation of the DR5 pathway.

Conclusions:

  • Apigenin exhibits considerable potential as a chemo-preventive and chemosensitizing agent.
  • Understanding the interplay between various molecular pathways is crucial for optimizing apigenin's therapeutic use.
  • Further robust, unbiased studies are recommended to investigate these interactions.
Keywords:
AnticancerApigeninFlavonoidMechanism of action

More Related Videos

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma13:18

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma

Published on: March 3, 2023

1.8K
A Novel In Vitro Wound Healing Assay to Evaluate Cell Migration08:55

A Novel In Vitro Wound Healing Assay to Evaluate Cell Migration

Published on: March 17, 2018

23.3K

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.2K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
6.1K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.0K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
8.9K
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
8.4K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.9K