Apigenin might reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. When human adrenal cells (in vitro) were exposed to flavonoid mixtures that included apigenin as a component in a range of concentrations of 12.5–100 micromolar, cortisol production decreased by up to 47.3% compared to control cells.[1][2]
In mice, apigenin extracted from the plant Cephalotaxus sinensis, a member of the plum yew family, increased the physiologic response to insulin.[3] These results have not yet been replicated in humans; in a study that gave participants a black pepper beverage that contained apigenin and a wheat bread challenge meal, blood glucose and insulin were no different from the control beverage group.[4]
Reproductive hormones such as testosterone and estrogen may also be affected by apigenin. In preclinical (animal) studies, apigenin modified enzyme receptors and activity in a way that suggests it could potentially affect testosterone activity, even at relatively low concentrations (5–10 micromolar).[5][6]
Breast cancer cells exposed to apigenin at a concentration of 20 micromolar for 72 hours showed inhibited proliferation through control of estrogen receptors.[7] Similarly, when ovarian cells were exposed to apigenin, aromatase activity was inhibited, and this is thought to be a possible mechanism in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.[8] It is still unclear, however, how these effects would translate into an oral dose for human consumption.
References
- ^Ohno S, Shinoda S, Toyoshima S, Nakazawa H, Makino T, Nakajin SEffects of flavonoid phytochemicals on cortisol production and on activities of steroidogenic enzymes in human adrenocortical H295R cells.J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol.(2002-Mar)
- ^Cheng LC, Li LAFlavonoids exhibit diverse effects on CYP11B1 expression and cortisol synthesis.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.(2012-Feb-01)
- ^Li W, Dai RJ, Yu YH, Li L, Wu CM, Luan WW, Meng WW, Zhang XS, Deng YLAntihyperglycemic effect of Cephalotaxus sinensis leaves and GLUT-4 translocation facilitating activity of its flavonoid constituents.Biol Pharm Bull.(2007-Jun)
- ^Yoghatama Cindya Zanzer, Merichel Plaza, Anestis Dougkas, Charlotta Turner, Elin ÖstmanBlack pepper-based beverage induced appetite-suppressing effects without altering postprandial glycaemia, gut and thyroid hormones or gastrointestinal well-being: a randomized crossover study in healthy subjectsFood Funct.(2018 May 23)
- ^Le Bail JC, Laroche T, Marre-Fournier F, Habrioux GAromatase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibition by flavonoids.Cancer Lett.(1998-Nov-13)
- ^Wei Li, Akhilesh K Pandey, Xiangling Yin, Jau-Jiin Chen, Douglas M Stocco, Paula Grammas, Xingjia WangEffects of apigenin on steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory gene expression in mouse Leydig cellsJ Nutr Biochem.(2011 Mar)
- ^Mak P, Leung YK, Tang WY, Harwood C, Ho SMApigenin suppresses cancer cell growth through ERbeta.Neoplasia.(2006-Nov)
- ^Suman Rice, Helen D Mason, Saffron A WhiteheadPhytoestrogens and their low dose combinations inhibit mRNA expression and activity of aromatase in human granulosa-luteal cellsJ Steroid Biochem Mol Biol.(2006 Nov)