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Frontiers in Nutrition 2024L. (Lamiaceae), known in English as 'wild thyme', is primarily found in the Palearctic realm (Eurasia, North Africa) and has been utilized traditionally for culinary,...
L. (Lamiaceae), known in English as 'wild thyme', is primarily found in the Palearctic realm (Eurasia, North Africa) and has been utilized traditionally for culinary, nutritional, medicinal, and aromatic purposes. The essential oil extracted from wild thyme is particularly noteworthy, being used extensively in the food industry as a flavoring agent and preservative. The plant's aerial parts are commonly employed as an element of the diet (e.g., tea)/for culinary uses and in local/traditional medicine (primarily for managing respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions), similar to the use of common thyme. There is practically no information available on the species' nutritional benefits. Pharmacological studies, including and research, alongside a limited number of clinical trials, have investigated extracts of , although these extracts are often phytochemically poorly characterized in different experimental protocols and models. These studies have demonstrated a range of therapeutic effects, such as antimicrobial (notably the essential oil) and anti-inflammatory, as well as its preventative health benefits and nutritional value of wild thyme. Preclinical studies have corroborated the plant's anti-inflammatory potential, particularly in conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and irritable bowel syndromes (IBS). Additionally, evidence of hepatoprotective activities and benefits in managing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health issues, such as lipid metabolism regulation, cholesterol reduction, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory effects, have been observed predominantly in rodent models. Phytochemical analysis of wild thyme reveals an essential oil fraction below 1%, along with non-volatile compounds predominantly comprising phenolic acids (such as rosmarinic, salvianolic, and caffeic acids) and flavonoids (mainly glucosides of luteolin, apigenin, and their derivatives). These components are believed to contribute significantly to the plant's medicinal, nutritional, and preventive health properties. Despite promising findings, there is a need for more rigorously designed controlled clinical trials using phytochemically characterized wild thyme. The plant has an excellent safety and tolerability record. This review at the interface of nutritional/preventive health properties and as pharmacological activities highlights the current role of wild thyme in nutrition and general healthcare as well as its future potential, and also points to important gaps in the literature.
PubMed: 38846542
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 -
Clinical Nutrition Research Apr 2024Anxiety disorder is a prevalent psychiatric issue that affects 4.05% of the global population. As complementary and alternative medicine gains popularity, many... (Review)
Review
Anxiety disorder is a prevalent psychiatric issue that affects 4.05% of the global population. As complementary and alternative medicine gains popularity, many individuals with anxiety symptoms seek herbal remedies. This systematic review aims to explore the sedative efficacy of chamomile as an herbal medicine for anxiety treatment. Our search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases until August 2023. Among 389 papers found, after removing duplicates and irrelevant papers, 10 clinical trials investigating the effect of oral consumption of chamomile on anxiety were included. Two researchers independently completed all steps, including the screening process and data extraction. Out of the 10 articles selected, 9 studies have concluded that chamomile is effective in reducing anxiety. Even though, the exact mechanism of chamomile's anxiolytic action is not well understood, evidence suggests that its active compounds, including apigenin, may modulate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis by affecting neurotransmitter pathways. This systematic review showed that chamomile potentially has an anxiolytic effect. In addition, due to the side effects of drugs used to treat anxiety disorders, the use of chamomile seems to be effective and less dangerous.
PubMed: 38784853
DOI: 10.7762/cnr.2024.13.2.139 -
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical... 2024Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that has a high prevalence worldwide. Apigenin is a flavonoid present in several vegetables and fruits... (Review)
Review
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that has a high prevalence worldwide. Apigenin is a flavonoid present in several vegetables and fruits and has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-MetS properties. This study aims to systematically review the effects of apigenin against MetS and the relevant molecular and cellular mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics features, and potential structure-activity relationship. Electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Cochrane Library were searched for in vivo, and in vitro, and human studies with the following keywords: "apigenin" and "metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome", "fatty liver", "hypertension or blood pressure", "diabetes or blood glucose", "dyslipidemia", "heart or cardiovascular " and "obesity" in title/abstract. Data were collected from 2000 until 2021 (up to April). Only papers published in the English language were included. Forty-six full-text articles out of 1016 retrieved papers were reviewed and underwent quality assessment by investigators. Anti-obesity activity of apigenin is mainly through attenuating adipocyte differentiation by suppressing the mitotic clonal expansion and the adipogenesis-related factors. Its anti-diabetic effects can be exerted through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase1B expression, maintaining the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes, reducing intracellular ROS production, cellular DNA damage, protein carbonylation, and attenuating β-cell apoptosis. Moreover, apigenin could attenuate dyslipidemia and subsequent atherosclerotic conditions through down-regulating sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c, SREBP-2, stearyl-CoA desaturase-1, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase. Apigenin as a dietary bioactive compound would be a promising candidate for improving MetS and its components.
PubMed: 38629096
DOI: 10.22038/IJBMS.2024.71539.15558 -
Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2024Diabetes is one of the important and growing diseases in the world. Among the most common diabetic complications are renal adverse effects. The use of apigenin may...
PURPOSE
Diabetes is one of the important and growing diseases in the world. Among the most common diabetic complications are renal adverse effects. The use of apigenin may prevent the development and progression of diabetes-related injuries. The current study aims to review the effects of apigenin in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
METHODS
In this review, a systematic search was performed based on PRISMA guidelines for obtaining all relevant studies on "the effects of apigenin against diabetic nephropathy" in various electronic databases up to September 2022. Ninety-one articles were obtained and screened in accordance with the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seven eligible articles were finally included in this review.
RESULTS
The experimental findings revealed that hyperglycemia led to the decreased cell viability of kidney cells and body weight loss and an increased kidney weight of rats; however, apigenin administration had a reverse effect on these evaluated parameters. It was also found that hyperglycemia could induce alterations in the biochemical and renal function-related parameters as well as histopathological injuries in kidney cells or tissue; in contrast, the apigenin administration could ameliorate the hyperglycemia-induced renal adverse effects.
CONCLUSION
The results indicated that the use of apigenin could mitigate diabetes-induced renal adverse effects, mainly through its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Since the findings of this study are based on experimental studies, suggesting the use of apigenin (as a nephroprotective agent) against diabetic nephropathy requires further clinical studies.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Diabetic Nephropathies; Apigenin; Oxidative Stress; Kidney; Hyperglycemia; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38282447
DOI: 10.2174/1389557523666230811092423 -
Biomedicines Jan 2024Apigenin is a flavone widely present in different fruits and vegetables and has been suggested to possess neuroprotective effects against some neurological disorders. In... (Review)
Review
Apigenin is a flavone widely present in different fruits and vegetables and has been suggested to possess neuroprotective effects against some neurological disorders. In this study, we systematically reviewed preclinical studies that investigated the effects of apigenin on learning and memory, locomotion activity, anxiety-like behaviour, depressive-like behaviour and sensorimotor and motor coordination in rats and mice with impaired memory and behaviour. We searched SCOPUS, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant articles. A total of 34 studies were included in this review. The included studies revealed that apigenin enhanced learning and memory and locomotion activity, exhibited anxiolytic effects, attenuated depressive-like behaviour and improved sensorimotor and motor coordination in animals with cognitive impairment and neurobehavioural deficit. Some of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of apigenin include activation of the ERK/CREB/BDNF signalling pathway; modulation of neurotransmitter levels and monoaminergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems; inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production; and attenuation of oxidative neuronal damage. These results revealed the necessity for further research using established doses and short or long durations to ascertain effective and safe doses of apigenin. These results also point to the need for a clinical experiment to ascertain the therapeutic effect of apigenin.
PubMed: 38255283
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010178 -
The Journal of Asthma : Official... Apr 2024This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of apigenin in rats with acute lung injury (ALI). We also examined changes in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of apigenin in rats with acute lung injury (ALI). We also examined changes in levels of inflammatory and antioxidant factors after apigenin treatment in a rat model of ALI. We searched several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, ProQuest, and GoogleScholar, to retrieve relevant articles for our systematic review and meta-analysis.Five studies with 226 rat models of ALI were included in this study. We investigated inflammatory factors and oxidative stress with the corresponding 95% confidence interval in three groups: 1. Group1 (control vs. ALI), 2. Group2 (ALI vs. apigenin10), and 3. Group3 (ALI vs. apigenin20).
RESULTS
Estimating the correlation and 95% confidence intervals for the inflammatory agents and oxidative stress in the intervention group (ALI), compared with that in the control group, respectively (correlation: 0.194; 95% confidence intervals, 0.101-0.282, value = .001, z-value= 4.08) and (correlation: 0.099; 95% confidence intervals, 0.016-0.182, value = .020, z value= 2.325). Estimating the correlation and 95% confidence intervals for the inflammatory agents and oxidative stress in the intervention group (apigenin 10 mg/kg), compared with that in the control group (ALI), respectively (correlation: 0.476; 95% confidence intervals, 0.391-0.553, value = .001, z-value= 9.678) and (correlation: 0.415; 95% confidence intervals, 0.313-0.508, value= .001, z-value= 7.349).
CONCLUSION
Apigenin may have potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in rat models of ALI. However, the efficacy of apigenin as a therapeutic strategy requires further investigation through prospective controlled randomized trials.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Antioxidants; Apigenin; Prospective Studies; Asthma; Oxidative Stress; Pneumonia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Acute Lung Injury; Lung; Inflammation
PubMed: 37851868
DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2023.2272804 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Plant species are a reservoir of natural compounds that can potentially be used to treat different diseases. Linn. belonging to the Rutaceae family, has been used for... (Review)
Review
Plant species are a reservoir of natural compounds that can potentially be used to treat different diseases. Linn. belonging to the Rutaceae family, has been used for centuries in medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antihyperglycemic properties. These activities are ascribable not only to the presence of health-promoting macronutrients and micronutrients, such as carbohydrates, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins, but also to specialized metabolites, such as flavonoids (apigenin, hesperetin, hesperidin, naringin, naringenin, rutin, quercetin, and diosmin), coumarins (citropten, scoparone, and bergapten), terpenes (limonene, -terpinene, limonin, and nomilin), and phenolic acids (-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, and chlorogenic acid). In recent years, particular attention has been focused on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial activity, antidiabetic, anticancer, and neuroprotective activity of . However, although many studies have reported this species' chemical and biological properties, the literature has never been analyzed via a systematic approach. For this reason, using PubMed and Scopus as databases, we performed a systematic review of 's chemical composition and biological properties to inspire new research approaches and increase its curative application.
PubMed: 37375892
DOI: 10.3390/plants12122267 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2023This review article describes studies published over the past five years on the combination of polyphenols, which are the most studied in the field of anticancer effects... (Review)
Review
This review article describes studies published over the past five years on the combination of polyphenols, which are the most studied in the field of anticancer effects (curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and apigenin) and chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, etc. According to WHO data, research has been limited to five cancers with the highest morbidity rate (lung, colorectal, liver, gastric, and breast cancer). A systematic review of articles published in the past five years (from January 2018 to January 2023) was carried out with the help of all Web of Science databases and the available base of clinical studies. Based on the preclinical studies presented in this review, polyphenols can enhance drug efficacy and reduce chemoresistance through different molecular mechanisms. Considering the large number of studies, curcumin could be a molecule in future chemotherapy cocktails. One of the main problems in clinical research is related to the limited bioavailability of most polyphenols. The design of a new co-delivery system for drugs and polyphenols is essential for future clinical research. Some polyphenols work in synergy with chemotherapeutic drugs, but some polyphenols can act antagonistically, so caution is always required.
Topics: Polyphenols; Curcumin; Resveratrol; Antioxidants; Drug Therapy, Combination
PubMed: 37175156
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093746 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Aug 2022Apigenin is being increasingly recognized as a cancer chemopreventive agent. We aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of Apigenin in in-vivo studies to know its... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Apigenin is being increasingly recognized as a cancer chemopreventive agent. We aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of Apigenin in in-vivo studies to know its present research status and how close or how far it is from the clinics.
METHODS
Several electronic databases such as PubMed, Springer, Cochrane, and ctri.gov.in were searched to fetch the relevant articles. We focused only on published animal studies that reported the anticancer effects of Apigenin against various cancers. Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias for each analysis, and the conflicting views were resolved later by consensus.
RESULTS
A total of 25 studies focused on the anticancer effects of Apigenin on various cancer types, including liver, prostate, pancreatic, lung, nasopharyngeal, skin, colon, colorectal, colitis-associated carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, leukemia, renal cell carcinoma, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, and breast cancer were included. Overall, Apigenin reduces tumor volume (SMD=-3.597, 95% CI: -4.502 to -2.691, p < 0.001), tumor-weight (SMD=-2.213, 95% CI: -2.897 to -1.529, p < 0.001), tumor number (SMD=-1.081, 95% CI: -1.599 to -0.563, p < 0.001) and tumor load (SMD=-1.556, 95% CI: -2.336 to -0.776, p < 0.001). Further, it has no significant effect on the animal's body-weight (SMD=-0.345, 95% CI: -0.832 to 0.143, p = 0.165). Apigenin exerts anti-tumor effects mainly by inducing apoptosis/cell-cycle arrest.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis suggests that Apigenin has potential anticancer effects against various cancers. However, the poor symmetry of the funnel plot suggested publication bias. Thus, it warrants further research to evaluate the potential of Apigenin alone or as an adjuvant for cancer treatment.
Topics: Animals; Apigenin; Breast Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Models, Animal; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
PubMed: 35752426
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103751 -
Inflammopharmacology Aug 2022Apigenin is a member of the flavonoid family that can regulate various biological processes, which is characterized as a treatment of different inflammatory disorders... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The effects of apigenin administration on the inhibition of inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the lung injury models: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE
Apigenin is a member of the flavonoid family that can regulate various biological processes, which is characterized as a treatment of different inflammatory disorders and pathological problems associated with oxidative stress (OS). Recent research has focused on apigenin immunomodulatory properties as a potential treatment for different types of lung injuries. This meta-analysis was designed to determine the impact of apigenin treatment on inflammatory markers and OS parameters in animal models of lung injuries.
METHODS
The comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase up to August 2021. To assess apigenin's effect on inflammatory mediators and OS biomarkers in lung injury animal models, we used the I statistic to determine the heterogeneity. We then pooled data as standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
Our meta-analysis of the pooled data for inflammatory biomarkers demonstrated that the apigenin administration significantly decreased the NF-κB expression (SMD - 1.60, 95% CI [- 2.93 to - 0.26]; I = 89.0%, p < 0.001), IL-1β (SMD - 4.30, 95% CI [- 6.24 to - 2.37]; I = 67.3%, p = 0.047), IL-6 (SMD - 4.10, 95% CI [- 5.04 to - 3.16]; I = 72.6%, p < 0.001), TNF-α (SMD - 3.74, 95% CI [- 4.67 to - 2.82]; I = 84.1%, p < 0.001), and TNF-α gene expression (SMD - 3.44, 95% CI [- 4.44 to - 2.43]; I = 0.0%, p = 0.622). This study also indicated the efficacy of apigenin in increasing the level of CAT (SMD 4.56, 95% CI [3.57 to 5.55]; I = 15.3%, p = 3.15), GSH (SMD 5.12, 95% CI [3.53 to 6.70]; I = 77.6%, p < 0.001), and SOD (SMD 3.45, 95% CI [2.50 to 4.40]; I = 79.2%, p < 0.001), and decreasing the level of MDA (SMD - 3.87, 95% CI [- 5.25 to - 2.49]; I = 80.3%, p < 0.001) and MPO (SMD - 4.02, 95% CI [- 5.64 to - 2.40]; I = 88.9%, p < 0.001), TGF- β (SMD - 3.81, 95% CI [- 4.91 to - 2.70]; I = 73.4%, p = 0.001) and W/D level (SMD - 3.22, 95% CI [- 4.47 to - 1.97]; I = 82.1%, p < 0.001) than control groups.
CONCLUSION
Overall, our findings showed the immunomodulatory potential of apigenin as an alternative treatment for the suppression of inflammatory responses and OS in different types of lung injury diseases. Nevertheless, due to the paucity of clinical studies, reliable preclinical models, and clinical settings, evaluating the influence of apigenin on lung injury is required in the future. Before conducting large-scale clinical trials, detailed human pharmacokinetic studies are also needed to establish dosage ranges and determine the initial safety and tolerability of apigenin.
Topics: Animals; Apigenin; Biomarkers; Humans; Lung Injury; Oxidative Stress; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 35661071
DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-00994-0