Health Benefits of Luteolin

Beneficial Effects

  • Luteolin is an active inhibitor of different hyaluronidases, which modify hyaluronic acid. (79) Hyaluronic acid, a heteropolysaccharide, is one the polymers that accounts for the toughness and flexibility of cartilage and tendon.

 

  • Luteolin exhibits spasmolytic effects: Luteolin significantly antagonized acetylcholine- and histamine-induced contraction of smooth muscle in the guinea pig model of modified air overflow (80,81) and showed strong anti-histamine properties. (82,83)

 

  • Luteolin displays anti-leishmanial activity. (84)

 

  • Luteolin displays strong antinociceptive (against pain originating from peripheral nerves) action in mice. (85) This is in accordance with the fact that Luteolin is an active principle of Brazilian plant Wedelia paludosa, traditionally used against the variety of disorders, including painful conditions.

Antioxidant Properties of Luteolin

  • Luteolin, constituent of artichoke leaf extract, showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory activity in several models of oxidative stress. (13)

 

  • The antioxidant potential of Luteolin, measured in Trolox test, is twice stronger than that of vitamin E (14,15). Luteolin is a significantly more potent antioxidant than the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which is generally used in oxygen sensitive processes. (16)

 

  • Luteolin has strong scavenging properties for superoxide radicals (20,17) .

 

  • Luteolin is a potent physical quencher of singlet oxygen. (18) Luteolin inhibits single strand break in DNA induced by singlet oxygen in a dose-dependent manner. Chromosomal aberrations are probably one of the causative incidents in the formation of cancer.

 

  • A study assessed the antioxidant potencies of several dietary flavonoids compared with vitamin C. Pretreatment with all flavonoids and vitamin C produced dose-dependent reductions in oxidative DNA damage. When ranked in order of potency, luteolin was more effective than vitamin C and seven other flavonoids in reducing DNA oxidative damage. (9)

 

  • Artichoke leaves were used in tests conducted. While scientists are not certain how artichoke leaves lower cholesterol, test tube studies have suggested that the action may be due to an inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and/or the increased elimination of cholesterol because of the plant's choleretic action.(9) In test tube studies, the flavonoids from the artichoke (e.g., luteolin) have been shown to prevent LDL-cholesterol oxidation--an effect that may reduce risk of atherosclerosis. (10)

 

  • When ranked in order of potency, luteolin was more effective than vitamin C and seven other flavonoids in reducing DNA oxidative damage. (113)

Physiological Benefits

Among possible therapeutic applications of oral luteolin are allergies, chronic inflammatory conditions (respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, etc) atherosclerosis and other vascular disorders, neoplastic disorders, diabetes and obesity. Externally luteolin can be used for skin allergic/inflammatory disorders and for skin cancer prevention. Luteolin is a promising agent for use in ophthalmology: for prevention and treatment of cataract and of vascular eye disorders.

Luteolin-containing herbal extracts have been used for a long time as traditional herbal remedies:

  • Extracts from Chamomillae recutita (chamomile) and Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow), are rich in Luteolin and its 7-O-glycosides. They are well established in traditional medicine for a wide range of beneficial effects such as antiphlogistic, spasmolytic, analgesic and also moderate antihistamine properties. (108)

 

  • Extracts from Cynara scolymus, leaves of artichokes, are known for such properties as carminative (facilitating the eructation of gas from the stomach), spasmolytic and anti-emetic (reducing nausea). The dyspeptic syndrome, chronic gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases are traditional indications. (4) Extracts from artichoke also show hepatoprotective properties, strong antioxidative effects and reduce the cholesterol biosynthesis. This can be beneficial in artherosclerosis. (109)

 

  • Thymus vulgaris, (thyme) extracts are used for spasmolytic and cough-relieving effects on bronchial diseases. (108)
  • Vitex rotundifolia, an evergreen shrub common to Eastern Asia, is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammation, headache and neuralgia. (110)

 

  • Propolis, the bee glue, is also rich in Luteolin and its 7-O-glycosides. It is traditionally used in ointments and creams for the treatment of a variety of ulcers and eczemas. (108)

Respiratory Tract Disturbances

  • Due to its anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and smooth muscle-relaxing properties, luteolin has potential in the prevention and treatment of many respiratory disorders, including asthmatic conditions, chronic bronchitis, etc. (94,96)

Opthalmology

  • Prevention of the neovascular disease of the eye: Luteolin strongly inhibits corneal angiogenesis in vivo.

Beneficial Effects of Luteolin Glycosides

  • Luteolin -7-glucoside (isolated along with luteolin from Genista rumelica ) displayed pronounced capillary strengthening. (56)

 

  • Luteolin-7- O-glucoside and luteolin-4'-O-glucoside (from Ligustrum vulgare and Phillyrea latifolia, Oleaceae) presented "remarkable" complement inhibiting effect on the classical pathway. (88)

 

  • Luteolin-7-glucoside reportedly protects from ischemic tissue injury (possibly due to its antioxidative and phosphodiesterase-inhibiting properties). (89)

 

  • Luteolin 4'-O-glucopyranoside from Kummerowia striata Thunb. (Leguminosae) was identified as the IL-5 inhibitor. (90) Interleukin (IL)-5 is a chemotactic factor of eosinophils; it promotes the growth and survival of eosinophils, which play an important role in the eosinophilia-associated allergic inflammation.

 

  • Luteolin 7-O-rutinoside (scolymoside) (isolated from Artemisia montana) has strong radical scavenging properties. Its antioxidant activity is comparable to that of L-ascorbic acid. (54)

 

  • Some luteolin glycosides are reported to have antidiabetic activities. Particularly, luteolin-5-O-b-rutinoside, isolated from medicinal plant Salvia lavandulifolia and given orally to diabetic rats (2 mg/kg for 20 days) reduced glycemia and increased pancreatic insulin and pancreatic DNA contents. The authors relate the effect to the antioxidative action of the flavonoid, e.g., prevention of oxidative stress that causes the destruction of b-cells. (91)

 

  • Protective effect of luteolin and its glycosides against tissue injury can be realized through various mechanisms: decrease of capillary fragility, scavenging active oxygen species, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, inhibition of release of leukotrienes and TNF-alpha, suppression of adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium, and so on. (92)
An all natural Luteolin Supplement by LutiMax™ can improve your overall quality of life.