Apigenin is an antioxidant compound naturally found in many fruits and vegetables such as oranges, onions, chamomile, and parsley. When taken in supplement form many people experience life-changing physical and mental benefits, including the 6 benefits of apigenin listed below.
Lowers Inflammation
While inflammation is a natural part of the immune response, some people, especially those with chronic conditions, experience constant inflammation that can lead to never-ending pain.
Animal studies with apigenin have observed a decrease in inflammation. One study on rats experiencing sepsis due to infection found that rats treated with apigenin had reduced inflammatory responses.
Another study found that apigenin prevented IBD, lung inflammation, and scarring in rats due to its ability to block pro-inflammatory pathways.
The studies on apigenin and inflammation are numerous, with many studies observing different methods by which apigenin reduces inflammation, including:
- Suppression of pro-inflammatory processes, including the release of messengers and cytokines
- Increase in the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines
- Decrease in the expression of JAK2 and STAT3
Reduces Pain
Inflammation, in many cases, can also cause pain as the inflamed tissues press against nerves and transmit pain signals. Since apigenin reduces inflammation, it has also been proven to reduce pain.
A study with 72 people who suffered from migraines benefitted from the pain-relieving qualities of apigenin. Participants were given a chamomile oil gel with 0.233 mg/g apigenin, and in addition to reducing pain, the participants also observed a reduction in other migraine symptoms, including nausea and discomfort from lights/sounds.
Improves Mental Health
Apigenin provides more than physical benefits; it also helps reduce both anxiety and depression.
A trial looking at depression caused by cortisol treatments, with cortisol being one of the stress hormones, found that apigenin decreased cortisol levels. Not only did this help with cortisol-induced depression, but it also shows that apigenin can reduce stress levels in the body and the adverse effects of high stress.
Weight Loss
Apigenin can help you reach your goal weight while also lowering harmful physiological factors that are common in those at a higher weight. A murine study found that obese mice given apigenin experienced lower fatty acid, total cholesterol, and other indicators of obesity.
Heart Health
In addition to lowering factors associated with obesity and lowering cortisol levels, two factors contributing to poor heart health, a study also observed the benefits of apigenin supplementation on rats with an enlarged heart due to high blood pressure. The rats showed decreased blood pressure, heart weight, index, and free fatty acid levels when given apigenin.
Promotes Sleep
As previously evidenced, apigenin reduces cortisol levels in the body, which is often a factor preventing someone from falling and staying asleep. In addition, a murine study found that mice given apigenin experienced increases in total sleep time and sleep rate due to increased relaxation.
Apigenin Health Benefits
The benefits of apigenin for both your physical and mental health are numerous. With benefits that include a reduction in inflammation and pain, improved mental health, weight loss, and relaxation, it’s understandable why apigenin supplementation is increasing in popularity. If you’re interested in the benefits of apigenin, give BioBliss.inc Apigenin a try and see how much this supplement can improve your overall wellbeing.
References
Karamese, M., Erol, H., Albayrak, M., Findik Guvendi, G., Aydin, E., & Aksak Karamese, S. (2016). Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of apigenin in a rat model of sepsis: an immunological, biochemical, and histopathological study. Immunopharmacology And Immunotoxicology, 38(3), 228-237. doi: 10.3109/08923973.2016.1173058
Márquez-Flores, Y., Villegas, I., Cárdeno, A., Rosillo, M., & Alarcón-de-la-Lastra, C. (2016). Apigenin supplementation protects the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine experimental colitis by inhibiting canonical and non-canonical inflammasome signaling pathways. The Journal Of Nutritional Biochemistry, 30, 143-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.12.002
Hu, W., Wang, X., Wu, L., Shen, T., Ji, L., Zhao, X., Si, C. L., Jiang, Y., & Wang, G. (2016). Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide inhibits LPS-induced inflammation through the inactivation of AP-1 and MAPK signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages and protects mice against endotoxin shock. Food & function, 7(2), 1002–1013. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fo01212k
Zhang, S., Liu, X., Sun, C., Yang, J., Wang, L., Liu, J., Gong, L., & Jing, Y. (2016). Apigenin Attenuates Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Modulating Th1/Th2 Cytokine Balance in Mice. Inflammation, 39(2), 678–686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-015-0294-y
Zhang, S., Liu, X., Sun, C., Yang, J., Wang, L., Liu, J., Gong, L., & Jing, Y. (2016). Apigenin Attenuates Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Modulating Th1/Th2 Cytokine Balance in Mice. Inflammation, 39(2), 678–686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-015-0294-y
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Jung, U. J., Cho, Y. Y., & Choi, M. S. (2016). Apigenin Ameliorates Dyslipidemia, Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance by Modulating Metabolic and Transcriptional Profiles in the Liver of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice. Nutrients, 8(5), 305. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8050305
Kim, J. W., Kim, C. S., Hu, Z., Han, J. Y., Kim, S. K., Yoo, S. K., Yeo, Y. M., Chong, M. S., Lee, K., Hong, J. T., & Oh, K. W. (2012). Enhancement of pentobarbital-induced sleep by apigenin through chloride ion channel activation. Archives of pharmacal research, 35(2), 367–373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-012-0218-4
Zhu, Z. Y., Gao, T., Huang, Y., Xue, J., & Xie, M. L. (2016). Apigenin ameliorates hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy and down-regulates cardiac hypoxia inducible factor-lα in rats. Food & function, 7(4), 1992–1998. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fo01464f
