Apigenin
Apigenin is a flavonoid studied for sleep, anxiety, and related outcomes. Clinical evidence is still early.
Overview
What is Apigenin?
Apigenin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a compound known as a flavonoid aglycone.
It is found in high concentrations in dried parsley and chamomile.
Apigenin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects in non human studies.
Whilst apigenin is well tolerated, there is limited evidence examining the effects of supplements in human studies.
Dosage
Apigenin supplements in isolated form are unstable and unlikely to be as beneficial as whole foods.
In studies, a typical dose of apigenin is 18–24 mg per day. Eating a diet rich in vegetables is a reliable and safer way to increase apigenin intake. The mean dietary apigenin intake is less than 5 mg per day in China and around 3 mg per day in European countries.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most apigenin research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Anxiety accounts for 2 of 7 studies (29%).
- Hypertension (High blood pressure) accounts for 2 of 7 studies (29%).
- Cancer accounts for 1 of 7 studies (14%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Anxiety, Hypertension (High blood pressure), Cancer.
Dietary Sources
Top dietary sources
Ranked by amount per 100 g
High amounts of apigenin are found in common foods including dried parsley, oregano, chamomile, celery and artichokes.
- Dried Parsley4504 mg100 g
- Dried Oregano1400 mg100 g
- Yarrow649 mg100 g
- Chamomile500 mg100 g
- Dried Marjoram250 mg100 g
- Parsley215 mcgg
- Celery Seed78.7 mg100 g
- Chinese Celery24 mg100 g
Safety
Apigenin is generally well tolerated in healthy males, but should not be supplemented[11] in women[12] due to its estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. However, most studies use chamomile extract or dried parsley rather than pure apigenin supplements. These dietary sources are preferred to supplements.
Special populations
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
AvoidThere is insufficient evidence examining apigenin supplementation in pregnant and lactating women and usage should be avoided in these populations. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid consuming high quantities of parsley[11], a vegetable rich in apigenin and myristicin[16].
Children
AvoidThere is insufficient evidence examining apigenin supplementation in children. Usage should be avoided.
Other notes
Normal dietary intake of apigenin is safe and highly bioavailable[13]. Apigenin is widely[3] found in fruits and vegetables. Most studies use pharmaceutical chamomile extracts containing a standardised amount of apigenin ranging from 18 to 24 mg per day. Studies have also used apigenin at doses of up to 84 mg per day (as 5 g dried parsley). Side effects appear to be rare, with one study[2] using chamomile extract reporting a single case (of 57 patients) of abdominal discomfort. Rare allergic reactions have also been reported in cases of atopic children[14] with hay fever and bronchial asthma, and otherwise healthy adults[15].
Frequently Asked Questions
Takeaway
Apigenin is a flavonoid that may help with anxiety when taken as chamomile extract. Evidence is insufficient for cancer, high-blood-pressure, osteoarthritis, and sleep. Dietary sources such as chamomile, parsley, oregano and yarrow are preferred to supplements due to better bioavailability. Apigenin is generally well tolerated but should be avoided in women (estrogenic effects), pregnancy, lactation and children.
References
Sources57 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Anxiety
2 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Anxiety — Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial2016
A long-term study of 93 patients with moderate-to-severe GAD found that chamomile pharmaceutical grade extract (500 mg capsule 3 times per day; each capsule containing 2.0 g German chamomile flowers corresponding to 6 mg apigenin) did not significantly reduce the rate of relapse (Relative Risk: 0.52, 95% CI 0.2-1.33, P = 0.16) but did significantly reduce general anxiety symptoms (P = 0.0032), body weight (P = 0.046) and mean arterial blood pressure (P = 0.0063). Apigenin was well-tolerated.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Anxiety — Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study2012
An 8-week study including 57 subjects (n = 19: anxiety with mild-to-moderate depression, n =16: anxiety with past history of depression, n = 22: anxiety with no current or past depression) found that chamomile extract (220 to 1100 mg/day standardised to 1.2% apigenin) led to a significantly greater reduction in mean total Hamilton Depression Rating (HAM-D) scores and HAM-D core depression item score in all subjects. There was a non-significant trend for a greater reduction in HAM-D core depression score for chamomile vs. placebo in subjects with anxiety with current co-morbid depression.
SupplementDEX Database · Cancer
1 reference3.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Apigenin: a promising molecule for cancer prevention2010
A review notes epidemiologic links between higher dietary apigenin/flavone intake and lower cancer risk, but no human clinical trials of apigenin supplementation for cancer prevention have been conducted.
SupplementDEX Database · Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
2 references4.SupplementDEX Database: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) — Habitual intake of flavonoid subclasses and incident hypertension in adults2011
A 14-year prospective study including 156,957 participants found a 5% (95% CI: 091, 0.99, P = 0.005) reduction in hypertension risk for the highest compared with the lowest quintile of apigenin intake. Participants in the highest quintile of anthocyanin intake (blueberries and strawberries) had an 8% (RR 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98) reduction in hypertension risk.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) — Effects of the flavonoids quercetin and apigenin on hemostasis in healthy volunteers: results from an in vitro and a dietary supplement study1998
In 18 healthy volunteers, 2 weeks of 84 mg/day apigenin from 5 g dried parsley did not affect platelet aggregation, thromboxane B2, factor VII, or other hemostatic variables versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Osteoarthritis
1 reference6.SupplementDEX Database: Osteoarthritis — Efficacy and safety of topical Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile) oil for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled clinical trial2015
A study including 84 middle-aged or older patients with knee osteoarthritis (grade 1 to 3 Kellgren-Lawrence Grading Scale) found that topical chamomile oil (~1.5 ml 3 times per day for 3 weeks) was superior to diclofenac and placebo for reducing the use of rescue medication (500 mg acetaminophen). The chamomile group (21.00 ± 10.35) used a significantly lower number of acetaminophen tablets compared to the diclofenac group (28.14 ± 4.90) or placebo (27.46 ± 7.10) over 3-weeks. Chamomile oil led to significant improvements in pain (25.37%), physical function (10.05%) and stiffness (16.86%) and was comparable to diclofenac or placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Sleep
1 reference7.SupplementDEX Database: Sleep — Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study2011
A 28-day study including 34 participants (with primary insomnia for at least 6 months) found that 540 mg/day chamomile extract containing 24 mg apigenin, did not affect total sleep time, efficiency, latency or sleep quality compared to placebo. There was a modest, non-significant improvement in daytime functioning in the apigenin group compared to placebo.
Other
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