Apigenin restores endothelial function by ameliorating oxidative stress, reverses aortic stiffening, and mitigates vascular inflammation with aging

Abstract

Our study provides novel evidence that oral apigenin supplementation can reverse two clinically important indicators of arterial dysfunction with age, namely, vascular endothelial dysfunction and large elastic artery stiffening, and prevents foam cell formation in an established cell culture model of early atherosclerosis. Importantly, our results provide extensive insight into the biological mechanisms of apigenin action, including increased nitric oxide bioavailability, normalization of age-related increases in arterial ROS production and oxidative stress, reversal of age-associated aortic intrinsic mechanical wall stiffening and adverse remodeling of the extracellular matrix, and suppression of vascular inflammation. Given that apigenin is commercially available as a dietary supplement in humans, these preclinical findings provide the experimental basis for future translational studies assessing the potential of apigenin to treat arterial dysfunction and reduce cardiovascular disease risk with aging.