Vitexin

Vitexin is an active components of many traditional Chinese medicines, and were found in various medicinal plants. Vitexin (apigenin-8-C-glucoside) has recently received increased attention due to its wide range of pharmacological effects, including but not limited to anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic, and neuroprotective effects ^[1]. vitexin has recently received increased attention due to its wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-AD (AD, Alzheimer's disease), anti-hypertensive, anti-spasmodic, anti-hypoxia/ischemia injury, anti-depressant-like actions and anti-viral activities ^[1].

Vitexin (20 µM, 24h) significantly reduced the HIF-1α level in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, not in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 or in human osteosarcoma HOS cells under hypoxia ^[2]. Vitexin reduced the levels of VEGF (the major angiogenic factor) protein and mRNA in a dose-dependent manner ^[2]. 20 µM of vitexin inhibited PC12 cells invasion by approximately 66% ^[2]. Vitexin-induced (100 µM, 48h) apoptosis was p53 dependent in human oral cancer OC2 cells ^[3]. Vitexin (100 µM, 48h) induced the expression of ERK 1/2 in OC2 cells ^[3].

Vitexin (40 mg/kg i.g.) increased the brain weights of D-galactose-aged mice ^[4]. vitexin (10-40 mg/kg i.g.) increased the activity of the antioxidase system and levels of ATPase in the serum and tissue of D-galactose-aged mice ^[4]. Vitexin (0.3-10 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibits the mice writhing response induced by acetic acid and phenyl-p-benzoquinone (PBQ) ^[5]. Vitexin (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibits carrageenan-, capsaicin-, and CFA-Induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia ^[5]. Vitexin (10 mg/kg, ip, 30 min before the ipl injection of carrageenan) inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-33) and enhances anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) production induced by carrageenan ^[5].

References:
[1]. He M, Min J W, Kong W L, et al. A review on the pharmacological effects of vitexin and isovitexin[J]. Fitoterapia, 2016, 115: 74-85.
[2]. Choi H J, Eun J S, Kim B G, et al. Vitexin, an HIF-1α Inhibitor, Has Anti-metastatic Potential in PC12 Cells[J]. Molecules & Cells (Springer Science & Business Media BV), 2006, 22(3).
[3]. Yang S H, Liao P H, Pan Y F, et al. The novel p53‐dependent metastatic and apoptotic pathway induced by vitexin in human oral cancer OC2 cells[J]. Phytotherapy Research, 2013, 27(8): 1154-1161.
[4]. Dong L Y, Li S, Zhen Y L, et al. Cardioprotection of vitexin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat via regulating inflammatory cytokines and MAPK pathway[J]. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2013, 41(06): 1251-1266.
[5]. Borghi S M, Carvalho T T, Staurengo-Ferrari L, et al. Vitexin inhibits inflammatory pain in mice by targeting TRPV1, oxidative stress, and cytokines[J]. Journal of Natural Products, 2013, 76(6): 1141-1149.