Définition
Apigenin is a flavonoid concentrated in chamomile, parsley, and celery. It inhibits CD38 (an enzyme that degrades NAD+), helping preserve cellular NAD+ levels with age. It also has mild GABA-A receptor activity, contributing to its traditional use for evening calm.
Apigenin is one of the most widely distributed flavonoids in plants, but concentrations vary dramatically. The densest dietary sources are dried chamomile flowers (about 7–10mg per cup of tea), fresh parsley, celery, oregano, and thyme. It was historically studied for its calming effects; more recently, it has drawn interest for its role in NAD+ biology.
The NAD+ connection centers on CD38, an enzyme that consumes NAD+ during immune and inflammatory signaling. CD38 expression rises with age, and the rising consumption of NAD+ by CD38 is one of the mechanisms by which NAD+ levels decline over decades. Apigenin is a CD38 inhibitor — by reducing NAD+ consumption, it helps preserve cellular NAD+ pools without needing to add NAD+ precursors. This mechanism was publicized by David Sinclair and has made apigenin a common addition to longevity-oriented supplement stacks.
Apigenin's calming effects work through partial GABA-A receptor modulation — the same inhibitory neurotransmitter system that progesterone metabolites (like allopregnanolone) engage — though apigenin's effect is much milder. This underlies the traditional use of chamomile tea as an evening beverage.
Practical use: a cup of strong chamomile tea in the evening provides a meaningful dose. Supplemental apigenin is typically dosed at 50mg daily for CD38 inhibition support. For women, apigenin is relevant during perimenopause when both NAD+ decline and sleep disruption converge — chamomile tea becomes a small but genuinely useful evening ritual.
Termes associés
Ava Longevity · Built on the Ava Method · MMXXV