Abstract | Apigenin is a naturally occurring plant flavone with prominent antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. Although apigenin has the potential to be a promising molecule also for cancer treatment, its delivery to the body requires suitable dosage form design due to physicochemical characteristics that lead to poor bioavailability. It is classified as a BCS (Biopharmaceutical Classification System) II drug with low water solubility and high lipophilicity. Improving the solubility of apigenin is crucial, various formulation approaches have recently been employed e.g., nanocrystals have increased dissolution rate and antioxidant activity, while polymeric micelles increased the solubility to 148 times higher than that crude apigenin and showed enhanced cytotoxicity on hepatoma cells. PLGA encapsulated apigenin nanoparticles cause mitochondrial apoptosis and even DNA targeting could be achieved in skin cancer. The chapter reviews current approaches to the formulation of drug delivery systems containing apigenin. |
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