A flavone subclass flavonoid found abundantly in parsley, celery, chamomile, and other plants. Lacks catechol structure, so does not interact with COMT, making it suitable for therapeutic use without affecting catecholamine metabolism.
Apigenin acts as anti-inflammatory through multiple pathways: (1) inhibits NF-κB activation reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, (2) modulates TRP channels and opioid receptors reducing pain signaling, (3) disrupts bacterial quorum sensing and biofilm formation, (4) acts as GABA-A receptor modulator providing anxiolytic effects, (5) inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) protecting extracellular matrix.
Apigenin is among the most therapeutically versatile polyphenols in cPNI practice. Its lack of COMT interaction makes it preferable to catechol-containing flavonoids (quercetin, EGCG) in patients with COMT polymorphisms or catecholamine-sensitive conditions. Particularly effective for chronic pain (opioid receptor modulation), anxiety (GABA modulation), and biofilm disruption in dysbiosis.
- Does not contain catechol structure, avoiding COMT interaction
- Found in parsley, celery, chamomile, thyme, oregano
- Modulates opioid receptors and TRP channels for pain relief
- Disrupts quorum sensing in bacterial biofilms
- GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator (anxiolytic)
- Inhibits NF-κB and reduces IL-6, TNF-α production
- Anti-adhesive properties preventing bacterial attachment
- Kudzu (puerarin) noted as most effective opioid receptor modulator in class
- flavonoids — apigenin is a flavone subclass of flavonoids
- polyphenols — apigenin is a dietary polyphenol with therapeutic properties
- COMT — apigenin lacks catechol structure, avoiding COMT interaction
- NF-κB — apigenin inhibits NF-κB activation reducing inflammation
- TRP channels — modulates TRP channels involved in pain signaling
- opioid receptors — acts on opioid receptors providing analgesic effects
- biofilm — disrupts quorum sensing and biofilm formation
- quorum sensing — interferes with bacterial cell-cell signaling
- GABA — positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors
- anxiety — reduces anxiety through GABAergic modulation
- chronic pain — effective for chronic pain via opioid and TRP modulation
- IL-6 — reduces IL-6 production via NF-κB inhibition
- TNF-α — decreases TNF-α expression
- matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) — inhibits MMPs protecting connective tissue
- dysbiosis — helps restore microbial balance by disrupting pathogenic biofilms
- parsley — rich dietary source of apigenin
- celery — contains significant amounts of apigenin
- chamomile — chamomile tea provides apigenin with anxiolytic effects
- Kudzu — kudzu (puerarin) most effective in class for opioid receptor modulation
- sage — herb containing apigenin for TRP/opioid modulation