Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities
Apigenin’s DPPH free radical scavenging rate (EC50) was 0.28μM, 3.2 times that of vitamin E. MDA (malondialdehyde) levels in the skin of UV-exposed skin models were reduced by 58% after 8 weeks of treatment with 2% Apigenin cream. Clinical trials (n=120) showed that arthritis patients who took 50mg of Apigenin daily decreased IL-6 level by 47% and pain VAS score by 39% after 6 weeks. The effectiveness was comparable to cecoxib but the frequency of gastrointestinal side effects was 83% lower.
Breakthrough of anticancer mechanism
In vitro assays showed that Apigenin IC50 against MCF-7 breast cancer cells was 35μM, and the apoptosis rate was 74% when combined with paclitaxel (52% when alone). In a study of a colorectal cancer model, 50mg/kg administration inhibited tumor volume growth by 68% and VEGF, an angiogenesis marker, expression by 53%. In 2023, a paper in Nature · Cancer confirmed that Apigenin improved the reversal rate of chemotherapy resistance by 2.8 times via the modulation of miR-21.
Neuroprotection and cognitive improvement
In Alzheimer’s disease model mice fed 0.2% Apigenin diet for 6 months, β-amyloid deposition was reduced by 63% and Morris water maze test escape latency was reduced by 48 seconds. In a double-blind trial (n=80), patients with mild cognitive impairment who received 80mg of Apigenin daily increased MMSE score by 3.5 points and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level by 41% after 6 months.
Cardiovascular health promotion
In hypertensive individuals (n=150) who were given 100mg/ day of Apigenin for 12 weeks, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring showed that the mean systolic blood pressure was lowered by 14.5mmHg and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) by 0.12mm. IC50 for ACE enzyme activity inhibition was 0.45μM, and the activity was 78% that of captopril. In the hyperlipidemia model, Apigenin extended the latency period of LDL oxidation to 6.2 hours (3.8 hours for the control group) and reduced atherosclerotic plaque area by 61%.
Metabolic regulation and anti-diabetes
The diabetic rat study showed that Apigenin (50mg/kg) lowered fasting blood glucose by 32% and improved insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-IR) by 0.91. In clinical trials (n=90), once-daily dosing of 100mg delayed postmeal peak blood sugar by 40 minutes, reduced the amplitude of fluctuation by 34%, and lowered HbA1c by 0.9%.
Production process and cost effectiveness
The supercritical CO2 extraction technology increased the extraction rate of Apigenin to 92% (traditional ethanol extraction process only 65%), and the raw material cost with purity ≥98% was reduced to 220/kg (480 in 2018). Microencapsulation technology enhances bioavailability to 3.8 times of free form, and the final product premium rate is as high as 280%. In 2023, the global market size will be $180 million, with a yearly growth rate of 19.3%.
Security and compliance certification
Acute toxicity test LD50 > 5g/kg (rats), subchronic toxicity test (90 days) NOAEL is 800mg/kg/day. The maximum daily intake of 500mg is approved by the European Union EFSA, and drug interaction studies have shown a < 3% inhibition rate on CYP3A4. FDA GRAS certified products have been applied in 46 dietary supplements.
From antioxidant activity of scavenging 6.2×10^4 free radicals per milligram to anti-cancer activity of inhibiting tumor volume by 63%, Apigenin is revolutionizing the health sector with multi-target activities and is poised to hit $350 million in worldwide applications by 2025.