Polyphenols are a large group of phytochemicals that may have biological effects in animals and plants. One group of polyphenols, the flavonoids, have been extensively investigated for their mood elevating effects. There are substantial structural differences between the various polyphenol compounds which may explain their differing and overlapping effects in experiments. Certainly some polyphenols appear to be more effective at modulating the inflammatory response compared to others. Apigenin is a polyphenol belonging to the flavonoid group (it is actually a flavone) which may have significant effects at protecting from neuroinflammation. Evidence suggested that apigenin is able to activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) in the brain, and this may in turn decrease the inflammatory response through a modulation of cytokine activity. Chronic neuroinflammation may be a cause of mental health problems including anxiety and depression, and a diet high in apigenin and other polyphenols may be protective of the development of these conditions.
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