Apigenin

Apigenin is a plant flavone, found in parsley, celery, chamomile, and dried oregano. In a 2013 Diabetes paper, Escande and colleagues found that apigenin inhibits CD38, an enzyme that consumes NAD+. In obese mice, oral apigenin raised tissue NAD+ levels and improved how they handled glucose and fats. That prompted its promotion as an NAD+-boosting supplement. But human data are very limited. It is poorly absorbed by mouth, its plasma half-life is short, and no adequately powered randomized trial has shown metabolic or longevity-relevant results. The apigenin in a normal diet you eat is unlikely to reach the doses used in rodent studies. And there is no EU-authorized health claim for apigenin.

Last reviewed: June 22, 2026

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