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Apigenin as an anticancer agent

Muhammad Imran1, Tanweer Aslam Gondal2, Muhammad Atif3

  • 1University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore-Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.

Phytotherapy Research : PTR
|February 15, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Apigenin, a plant flavonoid, shows anticancer effects by inducing cell death and inhibiting invasion in various cancers. It modulates key signaling pathways like PI3K/Akt/NF-κB, offering potential therapeutic benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Apigenin is a plant-derived flavonoid with documented anticancer properties.
  • It affects multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms of apigenin's anticancer effects.
  • To analyze its impact on apoptosis, invasion, and key signaling pathways in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Apigenin treatment of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.
  • Analysis of mRNA and protein expression for apoptosis markers (caspases, TNF-α, cytochrome c, Bax, Bcl-2).
  • Assessment of invasion-related proteins (MMPs, Snail, Slug) and signaling pathways (NF-κB, PI3K/Akt).

Main Results:

  • Apigenin induced apoptosis via extrinsic (caspase-3, -8, TNF-α) and intrinsic (cytochrome c, Bax) pathways.
  • It suppressed invasion by downregulating matrix metallopeptidases-2, -9, Snail, and Slug.
  • Apigenin reduced NF-κB, PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt levels, and decreased Oct3/4 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Apigenin exhibits potent anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting invasion.
  • Its effects are mediated through modulation of caspase-dependent and independent pathways.
  • Apigenin's downregulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling and Oct3/4 suggests a role in suppressing cancer stemness.
Keywords:
apigeninbreast cancerflavonoidsglioblastomaliver cancerpancreatic cancerprostate cancer

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