Apigenin as Anti-TNF Alpha Agent

Inflammatory responses, although effective in eliminating pathogens, are also associated with many diseases including asthma, chronic inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune and degenerative diseases [1]. Excessive inflammation contributes to host tissue damage, exacerbating disease conditions such as neuroinflammatory diseases in which the brain and spinal cord are attacked. In cases of excessive inflammatory response, anti-inflammatory agents are needed to reduce and control inflammatory symptoms. Currently, medically prescribed anti-inflammatory agents include cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids such as cortisol, and anti-cytokine therapies [2]. While these drugs on the market effectively decrease inflammation, they also tend to be costly and toxic to some extent. Further research on safer, less toxic, cost-effective alternative treatments is needed. Apigenin is a natural flavonoid found in produce such as fresh parsley, vine spinach, celery, dried oregano, oranges, onions, tea, and cilantro [3]. Increased flavonoid intake has been associated with chemoprotective effects in gastric, colon, lung, breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers [4]. Specifically, apigenin has been used in alternative medicinal approaches to treat asthma, shingles, Parkinson’s disease, neuralgia, and insomnia [5]. The paper “Apigenin Modulates Dendritic Cell Activities and Curbs Inflammation Via RelB Inhibition in the Context of Neuroinflammatory Diseases” by Ginwala et al. demonstrates apigenin’s function as an anti-inflammatory agent and explores its potential use as a therapy for neuroinflammatory disease [6].