Apigenin
Flavone from parsley and chamomile, popularised as an isolated sleep supplement but human RCT evidence is essentially absent; effect in chamomile is well-studied.
Why
Apigenin is a flavone particularly concentrated in parsley, celery and chamomile. It binds the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors in vitro, providing a mechanistic rationale for the calming effect attributed to chamomile (already in catalogue). Apigenin as an isolated supplement has been heavily popularised by Andrew Huberman as a sleep aid and by David Sinclair around CD38/NAD+. Human RCT evidence of isolated apigenin is essentially absent, most evidence is mechanistic or in chamomile combinations.
How it works
Binds benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors at moderate concentrations, basis of the proposed sedative/anxiolytic effect. CD38 inhibition with potential to elevate NAD+ has been documented in cell culture and the basis of the Sinclair-popularised longevity framing. Bioavailability of oral apigenin is poor.
Expected onset · Acute calming effect (if present) within 30–60 min
How to take
Dosage
50 mg of pure apigenin pre-bed (the commonly-marketed dose; not derived from RCT). Dietary intake: parsley, chamomile tea, celery.
Timing
30 min before bed for sleep use
On the label
Pure apigenin (Cayman Chemical or pharmaceutical-grade), most consumer products are chamomile extracts standardised to apigenin content rather than pure isolate. Stated mg of apigenin per dose.
Ideal for
Adults exploring isolated flavonoid supplementation with realistic expectations about the limited human evidence base.
Safety
Evidence
Mechanistic evidence (GABA-A binding, CD38 inhibition) is solid in vitro and animal models. Human RCT evidence of isolated apigenin is essentially absent, most clinical evidence emerges via chamomile (already in catalogue). Preliminary, RCTs exist in non-tier-1 journals but are small or short-duration. No Cochrane review, EMA monograph or EFSA-authorised claim covers the indication. Popularity from Huberman/Sinclair has outpaced direct human evidence.
Preliminary, RCTs exist in non-tier-1 journals but are small or short-duration. No Cochrane review, EMA monograph or EFSA-authorised claim covers the indication.
- Salehi et al., Int J Mol Sci 2019, the therapeutic potential of apigenin (review)
- Avallone et al., Biochem Pharmacol 2000, pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla
- Escande et al., Diabetes 2013, flavonoid apigenin is an inhibitor of the NAD+ ase CD38: implications for cellular NAD+ metabolism, protein acetylation, and treatment of metabolic syndrome
Where to get it
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