[Research spotlight] Apigenin: a natural molecule at the intersection of sleep and aging

The full text article can be found at the link below:

“Apigenin: a natural molecule at the intersection of sleep and aging (2024, Frontiers in Nutrition)"

In the article Kramer & Johnson focus on two key themes in apigenin research:

• the role of apigenin in promoting sleep;

• the role of apigenin in promoting NAD availability.

Kramer & Johnson also use this opportunity to highlight the overlapping relevance between sleep and it’s effects in managing aging, as well as how aging also impacts quality of sleep.

For the most part, human clinical research referenced is are chamomile studies which should be noted to deliver very low apigenin quantities (0.8 - 1.2% apigenin yield) and also contribute a number of other compounds that have demonstrated biological impact.

• 6 human clinical trials.

• 4 chamomile general extract trials, oral administration 220-1500mg; 3 trials were persons with anxiety and the other insomnia.

• 1 chamomile tea trial in persons with poor sleep quality.

• 1 topical gel for migraine.

• behavioral and performance outcomes.

Animal research referenced does utlilise a lot more pure apigenin application as well as higher dosing protocols that are more in line with effective outcomes.

• 19 animal trials, including 2 worm, 3 fly, 11 mouse, 3 rat. A combination of oral and Intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection.

• lifespan extension, GABAnergic sedation, BDNF, serotonin, Trkb, CREB, learning & memory, gene expression & DNA repair, lipids, neurotransmitter, CD38, NAD+/NADH, PARP1, insulin & glucose management, thyroid hormone, inflammatory factors Il-1b, Il-8, TNF, iNOS, PGE2, and COX2 oxidative stress biomarkers NF-kB2112.

A point of special interest Kramer & Johnson discuss is the low absorption of apigenin in the intestine, but how a significant portion of apigenin remaining in the gut is metabolised by gut bacteria, and how the biological impact of this should not be dismissed. This is an especially relevant conversation with apigenin as some of the common metabolites of apigenin (such as luteolin) are well demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and other biological benefit and can also be absorbed into circulation. Current development is pushing for higher absorption forms in order to reduce dosing, but this may not yield the same outcomes due to the decreased gut impact and metabolite yield.

Also highlighted is the variable impact of different apigenin glycosides and the need for a comparative review, not simplifying the group to just one cumulative discussion.

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First published for nicesupplementco.com on 26th Jan 2025.