Tier 4 — mechanistic

Apigenin Alleviates Autoimmune Uveitis by Inhibiting Microglia M1 Pro-Inflammatory Polarization

Nan Shu, Zhi Zhang, Xiaotang Wang, Ruonan Li, Wanqian Li, Xianyang Liu, Qi Zhang, Zhengxuan Jiang, Liming Tao, Li Zhang, Shengping Hou
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 2023 64(5):21

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 37219511
PubMed Central
PMC10210511
DOI
10.1167/iovs.64.5.21

Study snapshot

DesignIn vivo mouse study plus in vitro human microglial-cell experiments
ModelC57BL/6J experimental autoimmune uveitis and HMC3 human microglial cells
Sample
InterventionApigenin 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally in mice; apigenin added to activated HMC3 cells
DurationMouse treatment days 7-13 after immunization
EndpointsUveitis clinical and pathology scores; Retinal inflammatory cytokines; Blood-retinal barrier markers; Microglial M1 polarization; TLR4/MyD88 signaling

What the study showed, in plain terms

Researchers tested apigenin in experimental autoimmune uveitis and in stimulated human microglial cells.

Key findings

Apigenin reduced disease scores and retinal inflammatory cytokines in mice, improved blood-retinal-barrier markers and suppressed pro-inflammatory M1 microglial activation through a TLR4/MyD88-linked mechanism.

What this study can and cannot tell us

This is preclinical evidence. The dosing route and exposure do not establish an effective or safe oral supplement dose in humans.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology