Acacetin is a 4â²-O-methylated flavone of the parent compound apigenin, found in Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), Turnera diffusa (damiana), Betula pendula (silver birch), and in the fern Asplenium normale.
In plant synthesis the enzyme apigenin 4â²-O-methyltransferase uses S-adenosyl methionine and 5,7,4â²-trihydroxyflavone (apigenin) to produce S-adenosylhomocysteine and 4â²-methoxy-5,7-dihydroxyflavone (acacetin).
It shows moderate aromatase inhibition.