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

The therapeutic potential of apigenin against atherosclerosis (Jiang, 2025) Heliyon

Graphics for @nicesupplementco social media (2025)

In the article Jiang & Huang review the effects and mechanisms of apigenin against atherosclerosis for oxidative stress, inflammation, programmed cell death, blood pressure, platelet, glucose, and lipids management.

Oxidative stress management:

• antioxidant activities via inhibition of NOX, and upregulation of SOD1 and SOD2 in mice.
• antioxidant activities via inhibition of LOX, and upregulation of SOD in rabbits.
• antioxidant activities via inhibition of NOX, and upregulation of HO-1, GCL-C, and GCL-M subunits via the NRF2 pathway in human epithelial cells (vitro).

Inflammation management:

• reduction of CD36, hence downregulating TLR2/NF-kB/NLRP3 pathways, leading to enhanced TGF-β and reduced IL-1β and IL-18 in rabbits.
• downregulating COX-2, PGE2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (vitro).
• suppress the secretion of MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and P-selectin.

Lipid management:

• targeting LDL-R and cholesterol transporter NPC1L1 to block cholesterol absorption and promote its elimination in hamsters.

• suppressing cholesterol biosynthesis and enhancing cholesterol efflux via AMPK pathways and up-regulating ABCA1 and ABCG1.

Of import is that much of the body of research referenced in this article is animal trials only, and has little reference to required dosing or magnitude of effects. A number of other smaller segments discuss glucose management roles, apoptosis roles, and additional emphasis on reduction in CD36 and other scavenger receptors.

As of the current state of the research, we’ve got many reasons to understand why a person may find atherosclerotic value from Apigenin use, but it would hardly be the ingredient to prioritise until more human research is available. Pathways related to CD36 reductions for anti-inflammatory and lipids management are most relevant for investigation and more supported by surrounding research.

So if I were to find out someone with high aetherosclotic risk was taking apigenin would I be happy? Yes.
Would I incorporate apigenin into a product formula specifically to manage atherosclerosis? Unlikely - there are better choices available.

For more practical information about atherosclerosis and the role of lipids in atherosclerosis development I highly recommend the website “lipidtools.com” (no affiliation).

This content is for educational purposes only and does not intend to cure or diagnose disease, nor make any health claims. There is no intent to slander in any way, but rather produce an informed and accurate third party perspective on the product. Always consult your accredited medical professional before introducing a new supplement. This content is not to be copied or repurposed in any form without express permission from the author. 

First published for nicesupplementco.com on 31th Jan 2025.