Kaempferide
Also known as: Kaempferide, 4'-O-methylkaempferol, 3,5,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone
Overview
Kaempferide is a naturally occurring methoxylated flavonoid found in various plants, including ginger and Alpinia officinarum. It is structurally similar to kaempferol but features a methoxy group at the 4' position. Primarily, it is being investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, with a focus on its role as a chemopreventive and therapeutic agent, particularly in oncology. Kaempferide exhibits higher metabolic stability and potentially greater bioavailability than kaempferol due to its methoxylation. Research is primarily preclinical, involving in vitro and animal models, with limited human clinical data available. While systematic reviews and meta-analyses exist for kaempferol, specific reviews for kaempferide are lacking, indicating an early to intermediate stage of research maturity.
Benefits
Preclinical studies suggest that kaempferide has anticancer effects, including the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of angiogenesis. However, robust clinical data from randomized controlled trials are lacking. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are well-documented for kaempferol, and these benefits are likely to extend to kaempferide, although direct evidence remains limited. Currently, there is no clear evidence indicating specific benefits for particular populations, as most research has been conducted on cancer cell lines or animal models. Preclinical data demonstrate significant inhibition of cancer cell growth and migration, but the clinical relevance of these findings remains uncertain. The time course of these benefits has not been established in humans, but preclinical studies show effects within hours to days in cell culture.
How it works
Kaempferide modulates cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and angiogenesis through various biological pathways. It inhibits key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and EGFR, and regulates proteins involved in apoptosis, including Bcl-2, Bax, and caspases. Primarily, it affects cancer cells and inflammatory pathways, with potential effects on liver and metabolic health suggested but not yet confirmed. Known molecular targets include EGFR, SRC, PI3K/AKT, Bcl-2, Bax, caspases, MMPs, and TIMPs. While kaempferide is expected to have better bioavailability than kaempferol due to methoxylation, human pharmacokinetic data are currently lacking.
Side effects
Limited human data are available regarding the safety profile of kaempferide. Preclinical studies suggest low toxicity at typical doses. Specific side effects have not been reported in human trials. Potential interactions with chemotherapy agents, such as cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, may occur due to the modulation of drug sensitivity, but the clinical significance of these interactions remains unclear. There are no established contraindications for kaempferide. The safety of kaempferide in special populations, such as pregnant or lactating women and children, is currently unknown. Further research is needed to fully assess the safety profile and potential adverse effects of kaempferide in humans.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose of kaempferide has not been established in humans. Similarly, there is no established optimal dosage range or maximum safe dose for human consumption. Timing considerations for kaempferide administration have not been determined. No specific recommendations exist for different forms of kaempferide, as it is typically studied as a pure compound or plant extract. While methoxylation may improve absorption, human data are lacking to confirm this. No required cofactors for kaempferide have been identified. Due to the lack of human data, it is essential to exercise caution and consult with a healthcare professional before using kaempferide as a supplement.
FAQs
Is kaempferide safe?
Preclinical studies suggest no significant safety concerns, but human data are lacking. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
When should I take kaempferide?
There are no established guidelines for timing and administration. Preclinical studies typically administer it orally.
What are the expected results of taking kaempferide?
Preclinical data suggest potential anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, but clinical benefits are unproven in humans.
Is kaempferide the same as kaempferol?
No, kaempferide is a methoxylated derivative of kaempferol. Their pharmacokinetics and effects may differ.
Are there any known drug interactions?
Potential interactions with chemotherapy agents exist, but clinical significance is unclear. Consult with a healthcare provider.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38339336/ – This systematic review on kaempferol (not kaempferide) demonstrates antitumor effects via cell cycle control, apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis. It also highlights that kaempferol enhances sensitivity to chemotherapy agents. The clinical relevance for kaempferide is inferred but not proven due to the focus on kaempferol and limited human clinical data.
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/16/3/585/review_report – This review focuses on the recent progress of kaempferol in cancer treatment, noting its ability to induce apoptosis via Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase pathways, as well as inhibit EGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling. While the effects on kaempferide are implied, they are not directly studied, and the data are primarily preclinical. The review provides a moderate level of quality but offers low direct evidence for kaempferide specifically.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1386389/full – This human RCT examines the effect of kaempferol (not kaempferide) ingestion on physical activity and sleep, finding improvements in sleep quality and physical activity metrics. However, the study does not provide any data for kaempferide. The abstract indicates robust statistical methods, but the sample size and duration are unclear, limiting its applicability to kaempferide research.
- https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/etm.2019.7886 – This review discusses how kaempferol induces apoptosis via Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase pathways and inhibits EGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling. While the effects on kaempferide are implied, they are not directly studied, and the data are primarily preclinical. The review provides a moderate level of quality but offers low direct evidence for kaempferide specifically.
- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/8/1642 – This study investigates the anticancer potential of kaempferide, focusing on its mechanisms of action in inhibiting cancer cell growth and metastasis. It highlights kaempferide's role in modulating key signaling pathways involved in cancer progression. The research provides valuable insights into kaempferide's therapeutic potential, although further clinical studies are needed to validate these findings.
