What Is Luteolin Used For?

Luteolin is a natural flavonoid,  it comes from a wide range of sources and exists in a variety of plants, especially in fruits and vegetables, it can inhibit the activation of mast cells and microglia, reduce the release of substances such as histamine, serotonin, glutamate and pro-inflammatory factors, so luteolin benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and enhances concentration and social skills in children with autism.

At present, the semi-synthetic process and full-synthesis process of luteolin is complicated in operation and high in cost. Extraction from natural plants is the best way to obtain luteolin. Different purification technologies can be organically combined to streamline workflow, reduce purification costs and develop new purification process research. In terms of raw materials for the extraction of luteolin, peanut shells come from a wide range of sources and are the green source of advantages for the industrial production of luteolin.

Luteolin benefits

1. Antioxidant effect

Free radicals are closely related to many diseases of life phenomena, such as cell aging, cancer occurrence, atherosclerosis, thrombosis and so on. There are many substances that scavenge free radicals and inhibit free radicals in the human body, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CTA), peroxidase and glutathione (GSH-PX), etc. The generation and elimination of free radicals in the body maintain a relative balance. The flavonoids represented by luteolin can act as a free radical scavenger, which mainly generates stable half-roll free radicals through the reaction of phenolic hydroxyl groups with free radicals, thereby terminating the free radical chain reaction.

2. Antibacterial effect

A certain concentration of luteolin can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli, and also inhibit the growth of catarrhal bacteria, Candida albicans and Proteus, such as improve the shelf life of crispy, inhibit the deterioration of oily foods, etc.

3. Anti-inflammatory effects

The occurrence of inflammation is closely related to T cells, B cells, NK cells, macrophages, etc. in the body. Luteolin and other flavonoids mainly affect the secretion process of cells, the interaction between mitotic cells and reduce the killer T cells.

4. Anti-tumor effect

The effect of luteolin in inducing tumor cell apoptosis is mainly achieved through targeted regulation of signal transduction, gene expression, and enzyme activation or inhibition in cell growth. The anti-tumor mechanism of luteolin can not only directly interfere with tumor cells to interfere with cell metabolism, inhibit cell growth, induce or sensitize cell apoptosis, but also play an anti-tumor effect by enhancing the body's immune function, which is a very promising potential antitumor drugs.

5. Lowering blood lipids, lowering cholesterol and improving immune function.

Luteolin has the pharmacological effects of lowering blood lipids and cholesterol, lowering blood pressure and regulating immunity in both directions.

6. Procoagulant effect

Experimental studies have shown that luteolin has a better procoagulant effect.

7. Anti-allergic effect

Luteolin inhibits the production of immune globulin mast cells, has a therapeutic effect on asthma, relieves bronchitis, and can be used to treat dry skin itching.

What's the side effect of Luteolin?

Although flavonoids are generally considered safe, there are some side effects, such as allergic reactions in individuals with G6PD deficiency who take flavonoids extracted from peanut shells and fava beans. Therefore, flavonoids are best not taken with other natural polyphenols or with drugs that affect liver metabolism.

Reference

https://www.emersonecologics.com/blog/post/luteolin-foods-supplement

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/luteolin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2615542/