Apigenin
Other ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
A calming flavonoid found in chamomile. Popularized by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman as a sleep aid. Also has anti-cancer and neuroprotective research.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Apigenin is an other most often used for sleep quality, anxiety reduction, nad+ preservation. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging. A typical adult dose is 50–100 mg daily (before bed), commonly taken as apigenin from chamomile extract. This profile indexes 20 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating emerging. Most-documented uses: sleep quality, anxiety reduction, nad+ preservation. 20 sources indexed (1995–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Binds to benzodiazepine sites on GABA-A receptors (mild anxiolytic and sedative without dependency). Inhibits CD38 in animal models (Escande 2013); no human clinical trials confirm this mechanism. Inhibits aromatase (reduces estrogen conversion). Activates apoptosis in cancer cells via p53 pathway.17,15
Dosing & protocol.
Take 30-60 minutes before bed; stacks well with magnesium and glycine
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Apigenin Extract.
Assumes 50-100 mg/day. Vendor basis: Life Extension, NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, and Amazon marketplace; pure apigenin is usually costlier than chamomile blends. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Apigenin content varies widely by plant variety, drying, and preparation, so food amounts are approximate.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
5- 1Efficacy and Safety of Natural Apigenin Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on In vivo Research AdvancementsPMIDZhang N, Nao J, Dong X · Current neuropharmacology · 2025
Zhang N, Nao J, Dong X. Efficacy and Safety of Natural Apigenin Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on In vivo Research Advancements. Current neuropharmacology. 2025
- 2Anticancer effects of apigenin: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PMIDYan X et al. · Phytomedicine · 2024
Systematic review documenting apigenin's anticancer mechanisms including induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of tumor cell proliferation across multiple cancer types.
- 3Neuroprotective effects of apigenin: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies.PMIDLiu Y et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2024
Systematic review of preclinical studies found apigenin exerted neuroprotective effects through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in models of neurodegenerative disease.
- 4Anti-inflammatory activity of apigenin: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PMIDWang Y et al. · International Immunopharmacology · 2024
Meta-analysis demonstrated apigenin significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta) and NF-kB signaling pathway activation across multiple inflammation models.
- 5The effects of apigenin administration on the inhibition of inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the lung injury models: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidencePMIDRahimi A, Alimohammadi M, Faramarzi F et al. · Inflammopharmacology · 2022
Rahimi A, Alimohammadi M, Faramarzi F et al.. The effects of apigenin administration on the inhibition of inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the lung injury models: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence. Inflammopharmacology. 2022
Randomized controlled trials
1- 6Effects of apigenin on sleep: a placebo-controlled crossover studyNgan A, Conduit R · Mol Nutr Food Res · 2011
Reviews & position papers
11- 7Exploring the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals apigenin and ellagic acid in managing polycystic ovarian syndrome and its comorbidities: a comprehensive reviewPMIDBalkrishna A, Rana M, Mishra S et al. · Frontiers in endocrinology · 2025
Balkrishna A, Rana M, Mishra S et al.. Exploring the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals apigenin and ellagic acid in managing polycystic ovarian syndrome and its comorbidities: a comprehensive review. Frontiers in endocrinology. 2025
- 8Apigenin: a natural molecule at the intersection of sleep and agingPMIDMadani B et al. · Front Nutr · 2024
Dietary apigenin intake positively correlates with sleep quality; apigenin improves memory, reduces tumor proliferation, and induces sedative effects in preclinical models.
- 9Apigenin as neuroprotective agent: Of mice and menPMIDSalehi B et al. · Pharmacol Res · 2019
Apigenin crosses the blood-brain barrier; its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neurogenic, and neuroprotective effects make it promising for neurodegenerative disorders.
- 10A Review on Flavonoid Apigenin: Dietary Intake, ADME, Antimicrobial Effects, and Interactions with Human Gut MicrobiotaPMIDWang M, Firrman J, Liu L et al. · BioMed research international · 2019
Wang M, Firrman J, Liu L et al.. A Review on Flavonoid Apigenin: Dietary Intake, ADME, Antimicrobial Effects, and Interactions with Human Gut Microbiota. BioMed research international. 2019
- 11Apigenin as neuroprotective agent: a review of the evidenceSource linkedPMIDSalehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M et al. · Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr · 2019
- 12Apigenin in cancer therapy: anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of actionPMIDYan X et al. · Cell Biosci · 2017
Apigenin suppresses various human cancers by triggering apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, suppressing migration/invasion, and stimulating immune response.
- 13Pharmacokinetic properties and drug interactions of apigenin, a natural flavonePMIDTang D, Chen K, Huang L et al. · Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology · 2017
Tang D, Chen K, Huang L et al.. Pharmacokinetic properties and drug interactions of apigenin, a natural flavone. Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology. 2017
- 14Flavonoid apigenin is an inhibitor of the NAD+ ase CD38: implications for cellular NAD+ metabolism, protein acetylation, and treatment of metabolic syndromePMIDEscande C et al. · Diabetes · 2013
Apigenin inhibits CD38 NAD+ase activity, increasing intracellular NAD+ and decreasing protein acetylation; in mice, elevates NAD+ levels.
- 15Enhancement of pentobarbital-induced sleep by apigenin through chloride ion channel activationPMIDChang SM et al. · Planta Med · 2012
Apigenin prolonged pentobarbital-induced sleep via chloride ion channel activation, similar to the GABA-A receptor agonist muscimol.
- 16Apigenin: a promising molecule for cancer preventionSource linkedPMIDShukla S, Gupta S · Pharm Res · 2010
- 17Apigenin, a component of Matricaria recutita flowers, is a central benzodiazepine receptors-ligand with anxiolytic effectsPMIDViola H et al. · Planta Med · 1995
Apigenin is a ligand for central benzodiazepine receptors, exerting anxiolytic and slight sedative effects without muscle relaxant or anticonvulsant activity.
Mechanistic & preclinical
1- 18Apigenin inhibits cancer cell proliferation through CD38/NAD+ pathwaySource linkedPMIDEscande C, Nin V, Price NL et al. · Cell Rep · 2013
Reference material
2- 19Majma Sanaye P, Mojaveri MR, Ahmadian R et al.. Apigenin and its dermatological applications: A comprehensive review. Phytochemistry. 2022Source linkedPMID
- 20Lv J, Meng D, Zhang H et al.. Apigenin promotes melanogenesis and melanosome transport through the c-KIT/Raf-1/MAPK/CREB pathway in HEMCs. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2025Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Apigenin, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Apigenin?
A calming flavonoid found in chamomile. Popularized by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman as a sleep aid. Also has anti-cancer and neuroprotective research.
What is Apigenin used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Apigenin include: Sleep quality; Anxiety reduction; NAD+ preservation; Hormone balance; Neuroprotection. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging.
What is a typical dose of Apigenin?
A typical adult dose of Apigenin is 50–100 mg daily (before bed). The commonly recommended form is Apigenin from chamomile extract. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Apigenin?
Reported side effects include drowsiness, possible sedation (desired), rare muscle relaxation. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Apigenin?
NutriStack rates this as Emerging, meaning early RCT signal, mechanistic data, or limited human evidence. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Apigenin in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.