Reactive oxygen species: Key players in the anticancer effects of apigenin?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) exhibit a double-edged sword in cancer-hence their modulation has been an attractive strategy in cancer prevention and therapy. The abundance of scientific information on the pro-oxidant effects of apigenin in cancer cells suggests the crucial role of ROS in its mechanisms of action. Although apigenin is known to enhance the cellular ROS levels to cytotoxic degrees in cancer cells in vitro, it remains to be determined if these pro-oxidant effects prevail or are relevant in experimental tumor models and clinical trials.

Inhibitory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of Cissus populnea on Ferrous Sulphate- and Sodium Nitroprusside-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat's Testes In Vitro.

Cissus populnea are plants associated with a myriad of medicinal uses in different parts of the world and are good sources of carotenoids, triterpenoids, and ascorbic acid. The antioxidant properties and inhibitory effect of water extractible phytochemicals from stem bark of C. populnea on FeSO(4) and sodium nitroprusside- (SNP-) induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes were investigated in vitro.