Fig. 1

Modulation of various signaling cascades by Apigenin. a Apigenin directly influences TRAIL signaling. Apigenin prevents ANT-2 mediated deactivation of DISC complex and thus prevents the activation anti-apoptotic proteins such as the XIAP, BCL-2 and IAP 1/2. b Apigenin prevents the phosphorylation of AkT, PTEN, GSKβ and PI3K and prevents downstream activation of transcription factors FOXO3a and thus promotes expression of pro-apoptotic proteins such p21, KIP1 and WAF. c Apigenin effects the JAK-STAT signaling through prevention of phosphorylation of JAK and SMAD3 and thus triggers apoptosis. d Apigenin mediated modulation of Wnt/β-catenin involves suppression of β-catenin and its downstream translocation to the nucleus. Inhibition of the β-catenin results in the suppression of the target genes involved in proliferation and cell growth. e Apigenin attenuates MAPK signaling through regulation of the expression of ERK and upstream binding of various growth factors. The MAPK signaling activation triggers phosphorylation of SOS and Grb2 which in turn promotes Raf/Ras phosphorylation. Apigenin interferes at ERK level and suppress its expression consequently inhibiting the expression of proto-oncogenes such as the c-Myc, c-Jun and c-FOS respectively