Apigenin: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential against Cancer Spreading

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cancer metastasis is a major cause of mortality worldwide.
• Flavonoids, including Apigenin, are increasingly studied for their anti-cancer potential due to low cytotoxicity.
• Apigenin modulates critical cancer-related signaling pathways and non-coding RNA networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms by which Apigenin suppresses cancer proliferation.
• To focus on Apigenin's targeting of molecular pathways crucial for cancer progression.
• To emphasize Apigenin's effects on angiogenesis, EMT, CSCs, cell cycle, and cell death.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Analysis of Apigenin's impact on key cancer signaling pathways (JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin).
• Examination of Apigenin's role in targeting angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cells (CSCs), cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis.

Main Results:

• Apigenin effectively modulates multiple signaling pathways implicated in cancer initiation and progression.
• Apigenin demonstrates anti-cancer effects by inhibiting angiogenesis and EMT.
• Apigenin influences CSC maintenance, induces cell cycle arrest, and promotes cancer cell death.

Conclusions:

• Apigenin exhibits significant anti-cancer properties through multifaceted molecular targeting.
• Apigenin's ability to interfere with key oncogenic pathways makes it a promising agent for cancer therapy.
• Further research into Apigenin could lead to novel cancer prevention and treatment strategies.