Role of apigenin in targeting metabolic syndrome: A systematic review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that has a high prevalence worldwide. Apigenin is a flavonoid present in several vegetables and fruits and has anti-inflammatory, anti -oxidant, and anti-MetS properties. This study aims to systematically review the effects of apigenin against MetS and the relevant molecular and cellular mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics features, and potential structure -activity relationship. Electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Cochrane Library were searched for in vivo, and in vitro, and human studies with the following keywords: "apigenin" and "metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome", "fatty liver", "hypertension or blood pressure", "diabetes or blood glucose", "dyslipidemia", "heart or cardiovascular " and "obesity" in title/abstract. Data were collected from 2000 until 2021 (up to April). Only papers published in the English language were included. Forty-six full -text articles out of 1016 retrieved papers were reviewed and underwent quality assessment by investigators. Antiobesity activity of apigenin is mainly through attenuating adipocyte differentiation by suppressing the mitotic clonal expansion and the adipogenesis-related factors. Its anti -diabetic effects can be exerted through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase1B expression, maintaining the activity of anti -oxidant enzymes, reducing intracellular ROS production, cellular DNA damage, protein carbonylation, and attenuating beta-cell apoptosis. Moreover, apigenin could attenuate dyslipidemia and subsequent atherosclerotic conditions through down -regulating sterol regulatory elementbinding proteins (SREBP)-1c, SREBP-2, stearyl-CoA desaturase-1, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutarylCoA reductase. Apigenin as a dietary bioactive compound would be a promising candidate for improving MetS and its components.