Supplement
Kaempferol is a flavonol, a plant compound found in tea, kale, broccoli and other vegetables, where it acts as an antioxidant and helps switch inflammatory signals on and off in cells. People mostly look at it for its possible anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects, and lab studies found it slowed the growth of breast, prostate and colon cancer cells. Almost all of that work was done in cells and animals, no human trials have tested it, and the evidence is very limited.
Sources: PMID 36082856
- Updated
- How we grade
- 1 study cited
- Best evidence
- Grade D
- Conditions studied
- 2
- Outcomes
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 0004
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer Cell Proliferation In vitro studies demonstrate kaempferol induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation across multiple cancer cell lines (breast, prostate, colon) via NF-kB inhibition and cell cycle arrest. A 2022 review catalogued anticancer signaling pathways modulated by kaempferol. No human clinical trials exist, and poor oral bioavailability severely limits translation from cell culture findings. | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | 1 study | |||
Studies that measured cancer cell proliferation | ||||||
| Inflammation In vitro and animal studies consistently demonstrate kaempferol is a potent NF-kB and COX-2 inhibitor, with well-documented anti-inflammatory activity across multiple preclinical models. No human clinical trials have assessed anti-inflammatory effects of isolated kaempferol supplementation. Poor oral bioavailability limits therapeutic relevance of these preclinical findings. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Disease Risk Epidemiological studies link higher dietary flavonol intake (including kaempferol from cruciferous vegetables, tea, and fruits) to reduced CVD risk. Preclinical models show endothelial protection and anti-inflammatory effects on vascular tissue. However, no human trials have tested isolated kaempferol supplementation for cardiovascular endpoints, and epidemiological associations cannot be attributed to kaempferol specifically. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant Status Preclinical evidence shows kaempferol activates the Nrf2 antioxidant response pathway and exerts direct free radical scavenging activity in cell and animal models. No human trials have measured changes in antioxidant biomarkers following kaempferol supplementation. Dietary intake from vegetables likely contributes to overall antioxidant intake but isolated effects are unquantified in humans. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect |
Key findings
- Cancer Cell ProliferationChanges; see studies
- Cardiovascular Disease RiskImproves (the measure goes down)
- InflammationImproves (the measure goes down)
Safety notes in the studies
- Epidemiological studies link higher dietary flavonol intake (including kaempferol from cruciferous vegetables, tea, and fruits) to reduced CVD risk.
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- Grade D
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Studies cited
1 study from PubMed