Apigenin

Apigenin is a flavonoid that has been found to inhibit cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Inhibition of growth through cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis appear to be related to induction of p53. It inhibits PMA-mediated tumor promotion by inhibiting protein kinase C and the resulting suppression of oncogene expression. It has also been reported to inhibit topoisomerase I-catalyzed DNA re-ligation and enhance gap junctional intercellular communication. Recently, it was demonstrated to interact with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) and to interfere with their RNA editing activity. Apigenin selectively blocks EV71 infection by disrupting viral RNA association with hnRNP A1 and A2 proteins.