Database Query Results : Apigenin (mainly Parsley), Metformin,

Api, Apigenin (mainly Parsley): Click to Expand ⟱
Features:

Apigenin — a plant-derived flavone (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) abundant in parsley/celery/chamomile and other dietary sources, often abbreviated APG (or “Api” in some indexes). It is a small-molecule polyphenol classified as a dietary phytochemical/nutraceutical candidate with broad pleiotropic signaling effects in oncology models (cell-cycle control, apoptosis, inflammatory signaling, metabolic stress, and invasion/angiogenesis programs), but with important translation constraints driven by low aqueous solubility and extensive phase-II conjugation.

Primary mechanisms (ranked):

  1. Pleiotropic pro-apoptotic / cell-cycle checkpoint engagement (mitochondrial apoptosis, caspases; CDK/cyclin suppression; p53 context-dependent)
  2. PI3K–AKT–MAPK signaling suppression with downstream anti-proliferative and anti-migration effects
  3. Inflammation axis suppression (NF-κB; COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine programs)
  4. Redox stress reprogramming (often ROS↑ in cancer models; antioxidant/NRF2 effects are context-dependent and can diverge between cancer vs normal cells)
  5. HIF-1α–glycolysis downshift with ATP stress (model-dependent)
  6. Anti-invasive / anti-EMT programs (FAK/integrins; MMP/uPA; EMT markers)
  7. Epigenetic modulation (HDAC/DNMT/EZH2 axes; context-dependent)
  8. Anti-angiogenic signaling (VEGF/related programs; model-dependent)
  9. Stemness pathway pressure (Hh/GLI, CK2; model-dependent)
  10. Chemo-/death-ligand sensitization (e.g., TRAIL sensitization reported in preclinical systems)

Bioavailability / PK relevance: Oral apigenin exposure is commonly limited by poor water solubility and extensive first-pass metabolism (glucuronidation/sulfation). Human data indicate circulating apigenin is largely present as conjugated metabolites, and dietary intake can yield only low (typically sub-µM) systemic levels; lipidic/self-emulsifying formulations can increase exposure in vivo (formulation-dependent). Reported half-life/kinetic parameters vary widely across studies and matrices.

In-vitro vs systemic exposure relevance: Many anti-cancer in vitro studies use ~10–50+ µM apigenin, which can exceed typical achievable free aglycone systemic levels after oral intake; some effects may therefore be high-concentration or formulation-enabled rather than diet-achievable. Tissue-local exposure (GI lumen, local mucosa) may be higher than plasma, and conjugate biology may contribute (context-dependent).

Clinical evidence status: Predominantly preclinical oncology evidence (cell and animal models) with limited, non-definitive human cancer interventional data; at least one pilot clinical study concept exists/has been registered (status-dependent). Strongest human evidence base is for non-cancer indications and general bioactivity rather than oncology efficacy.

Apigenin present in parsley, celery, chamomile, oranges and beverages such as tea, beer and wine.
"It exhibits cell growth arrest and apoptosis in different types of tumors such as breast, lung, liver, skin, blood, colon, prostate, pancreatic, cervical, oral, and stomach, by modulating several signaling pathways."
-Note half-life reports vary 2.5-90hrs?.
-low solubility of apigenin in water : BioAv (improves when mixed with oil/dietary fat or lipid based formulations)
-best oil might be MCT oils (medium-chain fatty acids)


Pathways:
- Often considered an antioxidant, in cancer cells it can paradoxically induce ROS production
(one report that goes against most others, by lowering ROS in cancer cells but still effective)
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, Ca+2↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, UPR↑, cl-PARP↑, HSP↓
- Lowers AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↓, GSH↓ (Conflicting evidence about Nrf2)
        - Combined with Metformin (reduces Nrf2) amplifies ROS production in cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, p38↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : , MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, IGF-1↓, uPA↓, VEGF↓, ERK↓
- reactivate genes thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth : HDAC↓, DNMT1↓, DNMT3A↓, EZH2↓, P53↑, HSP↓
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, cyclin E↓, CDK2↓, CDK4↓, CDK6↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, FAK↓, ERK↓,
- inhibits glycolysis and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, cMyc↓, PDK1↓, GLUT1↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, Glucose↓, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓, PDGF↓, EGFR↓, Integrins↓,
- inhibits Cancer Stem Cells : CSC↓, CK2↓, Hh↓, GLi↓, GLi1↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, JAK↓, 1, 2, 3, STAT↓, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Wnt↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK↓,, α↓,, ERK↓, 5↓, JNK↓,
- Shown to modulate the nuclear translocation of SREBP-2 (related to cholesterol).
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes)
        -Ex: other flavonoids(chrysin, Luteolin, querectin) curcumin, metformin, sulforaphane, ASA
Neuroprotective, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective, CardioProtective,
- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Apigenin exhibits biological effects (anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, etc.) typically at concentrations roughly in the range of 1–50 µM.

Parsley microgreens can contain up to 2-3 times more apigenin than mature parsley.
Apigenin is typically measured in the range of 1-10 μM for biological activity. Assuming a molecular weight of 270 g/mol for apigenin, we can estimate the following μM concentrations:
10uM*5L(blood)*270g/mol=13.5mg apigenin (assumes 100% bioavailability)
then an estimated 10-20 mg of apigenin per 100 g of fresh weight parlsey
2.2mg/g of apigenin fresh parsley
45mg/g of apigenin in dried parsley (wikipedia)
so 100g of parsley might acheive 10uM blood serum level (100% bioavailability)
BUT bioavailability is only 1-5%
(Supplements available in 75mg liposomal)( Apigenin Pro Liposomal, 200 mg from mcsformulas.com)

A study had 2g/kg bw (meaning 160g for 80kg person) delivered a maximum 0.13uM of plasma concentration @ 7.2hrs.
Assuming parsley is 90-95% water, then that would be ~16g of dried parsley
Conclusion: to reach 10uM would seem very difficult by oral ingestion of parsley.
Other quotes:
      “4g of dried parsley will be enough for 50kg adult”
      5mg/kg BW yields 16uM, so 80Kg person means 400mg (if dried parsley is 130mg/g, then would need 3g/d)
In many cancer cell lines, concentrations in the range of approximately 20–40 µM have been reported to shift apigenin’s activity from mild antioxidant effects (or negligible ROS changes) toward a clear pro-oxidant effect with measurable ROS increases.

Low doses: At lower concentrations, apigenin is more likely to exhibit its antioxidant properties, scavenging ROS and protecting cells from oxidative stress.
In normal cells with robust antioxidant systems, apigenin’s antioxidant effects might prevail, whereas cancer cells—often characterized by an already high level of basal ROS—can be pushed over the oxidative threshold by increased ROS production induced by apigenin.
In environments with lower free copper levels, this pro-oxidant activity is less pronounced, and apigenin may tilt the balance toward its antioxidant function.

Apigenin — cancer-relevant mechanistic pathway matrix

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 Mitochondrial apoptosis program ΔΨm ↓, Cyt-c ↑, Caspase cascade ↑, apoptosis ↑ ↔ to protective (model-dependent) R Pro-apoptotic stress commitment Frequently reported core phenotype across tumor models; may be downstream of ROS and kinase-network suppression.
2 Cell-cycle control Cyclin D1/E ↓, CDK2/4/6 ↓, arrest ↑ G Anti-proliferative checkpointing Often couples to p53/p21 context and growth-factor signaling downshift.
3 PI3K / AKT / MAPK PI3K ↓, AKT ↓, ERK ↓ (model-dependent) R Growth and survival signaling suppression High industry relevance; provides a convergent explanation for anti-growth and anti-migration phenotypes.
4 NF-κB / COX-2 inflammatory axis NF-κB ↓, COX-2 ↓, inflammatory cytokine programs ↓ Inflammatory tone ↓ G Anti-inflammatory microenvironment pressure Relevant to tumor-promoting inflammation and stromal signaling (context-dependent).
5 ROS modulation ROS ↑ (often), DNA damage ↑, ER stress ↑ (model-dependent) ROS injury ↓ / antioxidant support ↑ (context-dependent) P Redox stress bifurcation (tumor vs normal) Frequently described “paradox”: pro-oxidant stress in tumors while normal cells may show antioxidant protection; not universal.
6 NRF2 / antioxidant defense NRF2 ↓, GSH ↓ (often) ↔ (conflicting) NRF2 ↑, SOD ↑, GSH ↑ (context-dependent) G Antioxidant program reprogramming Direction is context- and model-dependent; important for interpreting chemo-compatibility and ROS claims.
7 HIF-1α / glycolysis HIF-1α ↓, glycolysis ↓, ATP ↓ (model-dependent) G Metabolic stress / Warburg pressure Reported suppression of glycolysis nodes (e.g., GLUT1/LDHA/HK2/PKM2/PDK1) in some models; may be concentration-sensitive.
8 Migration / invasion and EMT EMT ↓, FAK ↓, integrin signaling ↓, MMPs ↓, uPA ↓ G Anti-metastatic phenotypes Often downstream of kinase-network suppression and inflammatory tone changes.
9 Angiogenesis programs VEGF ↓ (model-dependent) G Anti-angiogenic signaling pressure Usually indirect via HIF-1α / inflammatory signaling and tumor-stromal coupling.
10 Epigenetic regulation HDAC ↓, DNMTs ↓, EZH2 ↓ (model-dependent) G Transcriptional reprogramming Mechanistically plausible but often secondary to upstream stress/kinase changes; evidence varies by model.
11 Cancer stemness pathways Hh/GLI ↓, CK2 ↓, CSC phenotypes ↓ (model-dependent) G Stemness pressure Typically preclinical; may matter for recurrence-resistance hypotheses.
12 Chemosensitization / death-ligand sensitization Sensitization ↑ (model-dependent) R Combination leverage Examples include TRAIL sensitization in vitro; translation depends on achievable exposure and interaction risk.
13 Clinical Translation Constraint Low solubility; conjugation-heavy PK; in-vitro concentration gap; potential CYP/UGT/SULT interactions Drug–supplement interaction risk relevant to both Delivery and interaction limitations Oral free-aglycone systemic levels are often low; formulation can change exposure. In vitro CYP inhibition is reported (notably CYP3A4/2C9); apigenin can also inhibit conjugation pathways in models—caution with narrow-therapeutic-index drugs.

TSF

P: 0–30 min
R: 30 min–3 hr
G: >3 hr



MET, Metformin: Click to Expand ⟱
Features: oral antidiabetic agent,
Metformin is a pleiotropic drug: attributed to its action on AMPK
Metformin is a biguanide drug used primarily for type 2 diabetes. Mechanistically, it is best described as a bioenergetic modulator: partial inhibition of mitochondrial respiration can raise AMP/ADP, engage AMPK, and suppress mTORC1 signaling; systemically it reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and can lower insulin/IGF-1 growth signaling. In oncology, observational studies suggested improved outcomes in some settings, but randomized trial data are mixed (e.g., large adjuvant breast cancer data did not show broad benefit overall). Long-term use can be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, and prescribing requires attention to renal function due to rare lactic acidosis risk in predisposed states.
Metformin directly(partially) inhibits Complex I of the electron transport chain (ETC) in mitochondria. This inhibition decreases mitochondrial ATP production and forces cells to rely more on glycolysis for energy.
Cancer cells, especially those with high energy demands, may be particularly sensitive to a drop in ATP levels. The inhibition of Complex I also increases the AMP/ATP ratio, setting the stage for the activation of downstream energy stress pathways.
AMPK activation results in the inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, a central regulator of protein synthesis and cellular growth. mTOR inhibition reduces cell proliferation and limits tissue growth, which can slow tumor progression.

Metformin reduces circulating insulin levels, which in turn can decrease the activation of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor pathways.

ETC Inhibitors: Drugs that directly inhibit specific ETC complexes (e.g., Complex I inhibitors like metformin or phenformin) can increase electron leakage and ROS production.(dose- and context-dependent, and not consistent)

-known as mild OXPHOS inhibitor(Complex I modulator)

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer / Tumor Context Normal Tissue Context TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 Mitochondrial Complex I (OXPHOS) inhibition Energetic stress ↑; proliferation pressure ↓ (context) Hepatic energy shift; gluconeogenesis ↓ P, R Bioenergetic modulation Metformin partially inhibits mitochondrial Complex I (OXPHOS), increasing AMP/ADP ratio and triggering downstream AMPK activation. ROS changes are dose- and context-dependent.
2 AMPK activation (LKB1/AMPK axis) Growth programs ↓ (context-dependent) Metabolic homeostasis ↑ R Energy-sensor activation AMPK activation is frequently invoked downstream of respiratory inhibition, though some hepatic effects can be AMPK-independent.
3 mTORC1 inhibition (via AMPK→TSC2/Raptor; also AMPK-independent routes reported) Protein synthesis / growth signaling ↓ (reported) Reduced anabolic signaling in liver (context) R, G Anti-anabolic signaling Mechanistically supported: AMPK regulation of TSC2 and Raptor contributes to metformin-mediated mTORC1 inhibition; AMPK-independent mTORC1 inhibition has also been described.
4 Hepatic gluconeogenesis suppression Indirect tumor support via insulin/IGF-1 lowering (systemic) Liver glucose production ↓ (core clinical effect) R, G Systemic metabolic effect Metformin reduces hepatic glucose output through multiple mechanisms (energy state shifts, cAMP pathways, and other proposed nodes).
5 Insulin / IGF-1 axis (systemic growth signaling) Mitogenic tone ↓ (context; strongest in hyperinsulinemic settings) Insulin sensitivity ↑; insulin levels ↓ (context) G Systemic growth-factor modulation Many “anti-cancer” hypotheses depend on lowering insulin/IGF-1 signaling rather than direct tumor cytotoxicity.
6 Cell-cycle & apoptosis (secondary, model-dependent) Proliferation ↓; apoptosis ↑ (reported in some models) G Conditional cytostasis Often downstream of mTORC1 suppression/energy stress; not a universal direct cytotoxin signature.
7 Inflammation signaling (NF-κB and related programs) Inflammatory pro-survival transcription ↓ (reported) Anti-inflammatory trends in metabolic disease contexts R, G Inflammation modulation Frequently reported as downstream of improved metabolic/oxidative stress tone; avoid presenting as a primary direct target.
8 Autophagy / stress adaptation Autophagy ↑ or ↓ depending on context; can affect therapy response G Adaptive stress response Autophagy findings are heterogeneous across tumor models and combinations.
9 Clinical oncology evidence (adjunct use) Observational signals exist; randomized data are mixed Translation constraint Epidemiology/meta-analyses suggested potential benefit in some cancers, but large randomized trials (e.g., adjuvant breast cancer MA.32) did not show broad benefit across the overall population.
10 Safety / monitoring constraints (B12, lactic acidosis risk in predisposed states) Vitamin B12 deficiency risk with long-term use; rare lactic acidosis risk increases with renal impairment and other conditions Clinical risk management Long-term B12 monitoring is commonly advised; prescribing requires renal function assessment due to lactic acidosis risk in predisposed settings.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P / R / G

  • P: 0–30 min (rapid bioenergetic effects)
  • R: 30 min–3 hr (acute signaling shifts: AMPK/mTOR)
  • G: >3 hr (gene-regulatory adaptation and phenotype outcomes)


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
1563- Api,  MET,    Metformin-induced ROS upregulation as amplified by apigenin causes profound anticancer activity while sparing normal cells
- in-vitro, Nor, HDFa - in-vitro, PC, AsPC-1 - in-vitro, PC, MIA PaCa-2 - in-vitro, Pca, DU145 - in-vitro, Pca, LNCaP - in-vivo, NA, NA
selectivity↑, Metformin increased cellular ROS levels in AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, with minimal effect in HDF, human primary dermal fibroblasts.
selectivity↑, Metformin reduced cellular ATP levels in HDF, but not in AsPC-1 cells
selectivity↓, Metformin increased AMPK, p-AMPK (Thr172), FOXO3a, p-FOXO3a (Ser413), and MnSOD levels in HDF, but not in AsPC-1 cells
ROS↑,
eff↑, Metformin combined with apigenin increased ROS levels dramatically and decreased cell viability in various cancer cells including AsPC-1 cells, with each drug used singly having a minimal effect.
tumCV↓,
MMP↓, Metformin/apigenin combination synergistically decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in AsPC-1 cells but to a lesser extent in HDF cells
Dose∅, co-treatment with metformin (0.05, 0.5 or 5 mM) and apigenin (20 µM) dramatically increased cellular ROS levels in AsPC-1 cells
eff↓, NAC blocked the metformin/apigenin co-treatment-induced cell death in AsPC-1 cells
DNAdam↑, Combination of metformin and apigenin leads to DNA damage-induced apoptosis, autophagy and necroptosis in AsPC-1 cells but not in HDF cells
Apoptosis↑,
TumAuto↑,
Necroptosis↑,
p‑P53↑, p-p53, Bim, Bid, Bax, cleaved PARP, caspase 3, caspase 8, and caspase 9 were also significantly increased by combination of metformin and apigenin in AsPC-1
BIM↑,
BAX↑,
p‑PARP↑,
Casp3↑,
Casp8↑,
Casp9↑,
Cyt‑c↑, Cytochrome C was also released from mitochondria in AsPC-1 cell
Bcl-2↓,
AIF↑, Interestingly, autophagy-related proteins (AIF, P62 and LC3B) and necroptosis-related proteins (MLKL, p-MLKL, RIP3 and p-RIP3) were also increased by combination of metformin and apigenin
p62↑,
LC3B↑,
MLKL↑,
p‑MLKL↓,
RIP3↑,
p‑RIP3↑,
TumCG↑, in vivo
TumW↓, metformin (125 mg/kg) or apigenin (40 mg/kg) caused a reduction of tumor size compared to the control group (Fig. 7D). However, oral administration of combination of metformin and apigenin decreased tumor weight profoundly


* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 1

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

ROS↑, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

AIF↑, 1,   MMP↓, 1,  

Cell Death

Apoptosis↑, 1,   BAX↑, 1,   Bcl-2↓, 1,   BIM↑, 1,   Casp3↑, 1,   Casp8↑, 1,   Casp9↑, 1,   Cyt‑c↑, 1,   MLKL↑, 1,   p‑MLKL↓, 1,   Necroptosis↑, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

tumCV↓, 1,  

Autophagy & Lysosomes

LC3B↑, 1,   p62↑, 1,   TumAuto↑, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair

DNAdam↑, 1,   p‑P53↑, 1,   p‑PARP↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

TumCG↑, 1,  

Migration

RIP3↑, 1,   p‑RIP3↑, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

Dose∅, 1,   eff↓, 1,   eff↑, 1,   selectivity↓, 1,   selectivity↑, 2,  

Functional Outcomes

TumW↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 30

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Total Targets: 0

Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:32  Target#:%  State#:%  Dir#:%
wNotes=on sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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