Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential of Two Sister Flavonoids Using Omics Based Approaches

Globally there has been a constant rise in the population suffering from cardiovascular diseases mostly due to metabolic complications. We have made use of two high throughput omics-based approaches, transcriptomics and metabolomics to understand the pharmacological and toxicological properties of apigenin and chrysin. Both apigenin and chrysin are naturally occurring compounds belonging to the flavonoid family and present in fruits and vegetables, which are a part of our daily dietary regimen. Our work revealed that apigenin and chrysin were able to able to down regulate cholesterol biosynthesis pathway by inhibiting transcripts encoding for enzymes. Additionally, based on our recent study involving metabolomic analysis, we affirmed the role of both apigenin and chrysin as hypocholesterolemic agents. Interestingly, in metabolomic studies, we also found that apigenin and chrysin were able to downregulate major metabolites involved in uric acid metabolism including xanthosine, hypoxanthine and xanthine. It is mandatory to conduct in vivo studies, then at least we will be able to confirm whether these sister flavonoids could suppress cholesterol and uric acid excess and promote ketogenic pathway. The results from in vivo studies will confirm whether apigenin and chrysin are ideal protective agents against cardiovascular and systemic complications and whether we can recommend their potential use in humans.

Learning Objectives:

1. Summarize the overall therapeutic properties of apigenin and chrysin based on Omics based approaches.

2. Explain the potential adverse effects associated with apigenin and chrysin based on omics based interpretation.

3. Review transcriptional targets that are regulated by apigenin and chrysin.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of metabolites that are regulated by apigenin and chrysin.

5. Review confirmation of the hypocholesterolemic property of both apigenin and chrysin in vitro.