# Vicenin

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/vicenin
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-29
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** Vicenin-2, Apigenin 6,8-di-C-glucoside, 6,8-di-C-β-D-glucopyranosylapigenin, Holy basil flavonoid, Ocimum sanctum glycoside, C-glycosylflavone vicenin

## Overview

Vicenin is a C-glycosylflavone — primarily found in holy basil, chamomile, and fenugreek — that exerts antioxidant, [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and anti-cancer effects by scavenging [free radical](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)s and inhibiting key metabolic enzymes such as α-glucosidase and PTP1B. Its C-glycosidic bond at the flavone backbone confers greater metabolic stability compared to O-glycosylflavones, enhancing bioavailability and biological activity.

## Health Benefits

• Exhibits anti-proliferative effects in prostate cancer models, reducing tumor size significantly in preclinical studies (PMID: 21803027). • Demonstrates anti-diabetic properties by inhibiting α-glucosidase and PTP1B (PMID: 24713265). • Reduces high-glucose-induced vascular inflammation in endothelial cells (PMID: 26766560). • Shows [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity, evidenced by 41.5% reduction in rat paw edema (PMID: 21608987). • Provides relief from skin photoaging, as seen in unspecified model studies (PMID: 39923642).

## Mechanism of Action

Vicenin inhibits α-glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), two enzymes central to postprandial glucose regulation and insulin signaling, producing anti-diabetic effects at the molecular level. In prostate cancer models, it induces apoptosis and suppresses tumor proliferation by modulating cell cycle arrest pathways, likely involving caspase activation and downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Against vascular inflammation, vicenin attenuates high-glucose-induced NF-κB signaling in endothelial cells, reducing downstream expression of [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s and adhesion molecules.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for vicenin is derived almost entirely from in vitro cell studies and rodent preclinical models, with no published human clinical trials as of 2024. In prostate cancer cell line experiments (PMID: 21803027), vicenin significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation and tumor size in xenograft mouse models, though human translational data are absent. Anti-diabetic activity has been demonstrated through enzyme inhibition assays showing IC50 values in the micromolar range against α-glucosidase and PTP1B (PMID: 24713265). The overall evidence base is promising but remains at an early preclinical stage, requiring randomized controlled trials to establish efficacy and safe dosing in humans.

## Nutritional Profile

Vicenin is a naturally occurring C-glycosyl flavone (specifically a di-C-glycoside of apigenin, also known as vicenin-2 in its most studied form: apigenin 6,8-di-C-glucoside), not a macronutrient-containing food ingredient but a purified bioactive phytochemical compound. It is found in herbs such as holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), parsley, celery, and various Apiaceae family plants, as well as in some citrus species. As a pure compound, it contains no protein, fat, or fiber. Molecular weight: approximately 594.52 g/mol (vicenin-2). Typical concentrations in source plants: 0.1–2.5 mg/g dry weight in Ocimum sanctum leaves; trace to 1.8 mg/g in parsley and celery. Bioactive compound classification: polyphenol, subclass flavone, C-glycoside. The C-glycosidic bonds (at C-6 and C-8 positions of the apigenin backbone) confer notable metabolic stability compared to O-glycosides, as these bonds resist hydrolysis by intestinal glycosidases and acid conditions, resulting in the intact glycoside reaching the colon where microbial fermentation may liberate the aglycone apigenin. Oral bioavailability is moderate to low (estimated <10–20% as intact compound); colonic microbiota-mediated transformation is the primary absorption route. No significant vitamin or mineral content is associated with vicenin as an isolated compound. Water solubility is relatively higher than its aglycone apigenin due to the sugar moieties, aiding formulation. No caloric value is attributed in pharmacological doses typically studied (1–100 µM in vitro; 10–50 mg/kg in preclinical in vivo models).

## Dosage & Preparation

In preclinical prostate cancer studies, vicenin-2 was dosed at 1 mg/kg orally in mice. Human dosages have not been clinically studied. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

No human clinical trials have established a formal safety profile, tolerable upper intake level, or therapeutic dosage range for isolated vicenin supplementation. Because vicenin inhibits PTP1B and α-glucosidase, concurrent use with anti-diabetic drugs such as metformin, sulfonylureas, or acarbose may theoretically produce additive hypoglycemic effects, warranting caution. Potential interactions with anticoagulants or CYP450-metabolized drugs cannot be ruled out given the known flavonoid class effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes. Vicenin should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation due to a complete absence of safety data in these populations.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials or meta-analyses are available for vicenin-2; all evidence is based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies. Notable studies include anti-cancer effects in prostate cancer cell lines and mouse models (PMID: 21803027), and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects in rat models (PMID: 21608987).

## Historical & Cultural Context

Vicenin-2 is an active component of Ocimum sanctum, utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for its radioprotective and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) properties. Despite its presence in traditional formulations, specific historical uses of vicenin-2 itself are not documented.

## Synergistic Combinations

Docetaxel, Apigenin, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Quercetin

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What foods contain vicenin naturally?

Vicenin is found in appreciable quantities in holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and certain citrus species. Holy basil leaf extracts are among the richest dietary sources and have been studied for vicenin content in the context of adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory applications. Concentrations vary significantly based on plant variety, growth conditions, and extraction method.

### Can vicenin help lower blood sugar?

Preclinical studies show vicenin inhibits α-glucosidase and PTP1B — two enzymes that regulate postprandial glucose and insulin sensitivity — with IC50 values in the low-to-mid micromolar range (PMID: 24713265). These mechanisms are similar to those of the anti-diabetic drug acarbose, which also targets α-glucosidase. However, no human clinical trials have confirmed blood sugar-lowering effects, so vicenin cannot currently be recommended as a diabetes treatment.

### Does vicenin have anti-cancer properties?

In preclinical prostate cancer models, vicenin demonstrated significant anti-proliferative activity, reducing tumor cell viability and tumor size in mouse xenograft experiments (PMID: 21803027), likely through caspase-mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. These findings are limited to laboratory and animal settings; no human oncology trials have been conducted. It should not be considered a cancer treatment until robust clinical evidence is established.

### What is the difference between vicenin-1, vicenin-2, and vicenin-3?

Vicenin-1, vicenin-2, and vicenin-3 are structural isomers of the same apigenin C-diglycoside scaffold, differing in the positions of their two sugar (glucose) attachments on the flavone ring — specifically at the 6 and 8 positions in varying combinations. Vicenin-2 (6,8-di-C-glucosylapigenin) is the most extensively studied isoform and the one associated with the anti-diabetic and anti-cancer activities cited in the literature. The biological potency and bioavailability of each isoform differ, though comparative human data are lacking.

### Is vicenin the same as apigenin?

No — vicenin is a C-glycoside derivative of apigenin, meaning glucose molecules are directly bonded to the carbon skeleton of the apigenin flavone core rather than through an oxygen linkage. This C-glycosidic bond makes vicenin substantially more resistant to hydrolysis by gut enzymes and stomach acid compared to apigenin itself, potentially improving its stability during digestion. While both compounds share the apigenin backbone and some overlapping activities, vicenin has distinct pharmacokinetics and a different bioactivity profile.

### What does the current clinical evidence show about vicenin's effectiveness in humans?

Most research on vicenin's anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory benefits comes from laboratory and animal studies, with limited human clinical trials to date. While preclinical data demonstrates promising effects on α-glucosidase inhibition and vascular inflammation reduction, the translation to human efficacy and optimal dosing remains understudied. More randomized controlled trials in human subjects are needed to establish safety, tolerability, and therapeutic dosage for supplement use.

### Does vicenin interact with diabetes medications or blood sugar-lowering drugs?

Since vicenin exhibits α-glucosidase and PTP1B inhibitory activity similar to some diabetes medications, there is a theoretical risk of additive effects when combined with antidiabetic drugs like metformin or acarbose. Individuals taking blood sugar-lowering medications should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing with vicenin to avoid hypoglycemia risk. No formal drug-drug interaction studies have been published, making medical supervision particularly important.

### Who would benefit most from vicenin supplementation based on its mechanism of action?

Individuals with elevated blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, or prediabetes may theoretically benefit most from vicenin due to its α-glucosidase inhibition and PTP1B blocking properties. People with chronic inflammatory conditions or vascular dysfunction related to hyperglycemia are also potential candidates, given its demonstrated effects on endothelial inflammation. However, current evidence is primarily preclinical, so benefit in specific populations remains unproven in humans.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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