Apigenin study caused apoptosis in certain Leukemia Cells?

[CClaver27]

Hi and Happy Holidays, New Year, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kawanzaa (Did I miss anything?).

My wife, the well-meaning Vegan in my life and healthy advocate of getting rid of diabetes in the world (a wonderful lofty goal even if she gets only a few converts amongst our family and friends), read about a study from maybe 15 years ago in the Netherlands that showed taking Apigenin which is found in parsley, celery, oregano, and some other plant based foods caused apoptosis in certain Leukemia Cells. I was intrigued and wanted to read up on that study but could not find the study or much further info. While I know this is not a cure for CLL by any means, I am always interested in healthy food and living with healthier lifestyle choices (by no means am I advocating for a vegan, vegetarian or any other diet here). I searched the Health Unlocked website and I did find some articles on other cancers Apigenin provided some benefits but not CLL. I had treatment in 2015 (when FCR was the gold standard) and still have stable numbers. Is anyone familiar with this study on Apigenin and Leukemias? Cary

[Spark_Plug]

CClaver27, I would like to thank you for opening up a conversation like this with a balanced manner. Perhaps [usdasearch.usda.gov/search?...] will be a resource for study.

I have no knowledge of the study you were referring to, but there's a pattern to some of the pitfalls in studies I've noticed. (1) Relying on in vitro results petri dish/ test tube], looking at a reaction in a vacuum translates often to disappointment. (2) Murine studies, reactions in mice very often also often fail to bring meaningful results to human counterparts. (3) Apoptosis is a word that gets our attention very quickly, context is everything.

PubMed may be a good place to do a search as well. 🙂

[CClaver27 in reply to Spark_Plug]

Thanks for the reply Spark_Plug. I definitely take the word "study" with a cautious eye (lots of so-called studies on various supplements and as you state in Viro or on animals.). Here is what I was able to find...The study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics in January 2012 demonstrated that apigenin induced apoptosis in U937 human leukemia cells by inactivating Akt and activating JNK signaling pathways. This led to the downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins and the activation of caspases, which are enzymes that play a crucial role in apoptosis1. The study also showed that apigenin reduced tumor growth in U937 xenografts (leukemia cells transplanted into mice), suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for leukemia.

The findings suggest that apigenin could have clinical implications and might be further tested for incorporating into leukemia treatment regimens. This highlights the potential of natural compounds like apigenin in cancer therapy.

There have been follow-up studies on apigenin and its effects on leukemia cells. Researchers have continued to explore the potential of apigenin as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. Some follow-up studies have focused on the combination of apigenin with chemotherapy drugs to enhance their effectiveness and reduce side effects. These studies have shown that apigenin can sensitize leukemia cells to chemotherapy agents, leading to increased apoptosis and reduced tumor growth1.

Additionally, researchers have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which apigenin induces apoptosis in leukemia cells, further elucidating its potential as a cancer treatment

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to CClaver27]

Hi Cary,

When I hear of such studies, I first check whether the studies were done on myeloid or lymphoid cell lines. That's because CLL arises in mature B lymphoid cells, after differentiation from the lymphoid stem cell line, from which our bone marrow makes B, T and NK lymphocytes. The myeloid stem cell line differentiates into red blood cells, platelets, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Monocytes further develop into macrophages or dendritic cells. With a quick internet search, you will find that "U-937 cells are of myeloid lineage..." and that "U-937 cells are a pro-monocytic model cell line used in biomedical research.[1] They were isolated from the histiocytic lymphoma of a 37-year-old male patient in 1974.[2] Due to the relative uniformity of expanded cultures and lower maintenance requirements these cells have been since used as an important tool for studying phagocyte differentiation and different kinds of cell-to-cell interactions. U-937 cells mature and differentiate in response to a number of soluble stimuli, adopting the morphology and characteristics of monocytes, macrophages or dendritic cells.[3]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/U93...

The vast majority of leukaemia research tends to use myeloid cell lines, so is usually not relevant to CLL. It's traditionally been difficult to do research on CLL cell lines, because unlike most cancer cells, CLL cells don't live forever, they just die at a lower rate than they grow by cloning. Hence it has been hard to establish CLL cell lines for use in research. This is why we rarely hear of drugs used to treat myeloid leukemias being used to treat CLL and vice versa, with the major exception of BCL-2 type drugs, such as venetoclax. That's because BCL-2 inhibits mitochondria in our cells, from which our body cells gain energy, not the cellular DNA.

Neil

Myeloid leukemia research (left) is usually not relevant to CLL (right).

[Spark_Plug in reply to AussieNeil]

Very good point that, AussieNeil, that should of been my fourth point myeloid stem cells!

[Shedman in reply to AussieNeil]

👏 Your kind, thorough, and science informed answer brings to mind dear departed Chris (CLLCanada) I had to search for his HU handle to write that, and was immediately in amongst his precise CLL/SLL wisdom, warmth and kindness.

[AnneHill in reply to Shedman]

When I began reading healthunlocked cll canada chris wrote most days. I really miss him. He was still writing at the end. Others have mentioned him as well.

[Shedman in reply to AnneHill]

🙏❤️

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Shedman]

I miss Chris too. As well as wise advice, he shared a lot of lovely photos. I have a print of one of his beautiful flower photos on our living room wall. I did ask him if we could use it as a print and he was very happy for that.

Apologies for the diversion, CClaver.

Paula

Red poppy flower after rain

[CClaver27]

Thanks Neil. That is very educational, and I appreciate you sharing the knowledge gap between CLL Cells and AML cells. Ironically, I had just used ChatGPT to look up the reference to U-937 and it gave me the Wikipedia site as well that you reference. However, your explanation of the differences helped clarify it further. Cheers. Cary

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to CClaver27]

Thanks Cary,

I know this sad news from years of investigating positive sounding news articles on encouraging leukaemia research about which members have posted.

With respect to using ChatGPT, I have been very concerned to find on several occasions that AI responses have stated to my surprise, supposed effects of substances on CLL. AI responses should always provide references because they tend to 'Bullshit', or as the AI vendors term it with a more positive spin, 'hallucinate'. When I've exhaustively checked the 'news to me' AI statements, I haven't been able to find any confirming research for the response. AI output can be very convincing, but there isn't the understanding of the subject matter to make broader claims than that supported by clinical trials. Even in close cousin blood cancers, the effectiveness of treatments can vary significantly.

Neil