Apigenin mitigates intestinal barrier dysfunction in sepsis by modulating the AKT signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT: Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome triggered by infection, which can lead to multiple organ dysfunction. This study untangles the synergistic multi-mechanistic effects of the natural flavonoid apigenin in ameliorating this pathological process. Utilizing a murine sepsis model and Caco-2 cell line, we systematically investigated the impact of apigenin on intestinal barrier function. Apigenin treatment (50 mg/kg) markedly improved intestinal barrier integrity, as shown by reduced serum FITC-dextran levels and restored expression of tight junction proteins Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1. The compound simultaneously attenuated systemic inflammation by lowering IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified AKT1 and MMP-9 as key molecular targets of

SUBMITTER: Lijun Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12398084 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature