Memory Boosting Flavonoid Shown to Combat Cancer, Brain Fog, and Inflammation

Studies show luteolin is capable of stopping cancer cells from growing and spreading as well as inhibiting tumor growth.

Flavonoids are found in many of our fruits and veggies! Shutterstock

Luteolin, a flavonoid found in a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, has a history of use as an anti-inflammatory herbal remedy and is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

This natural compound is also famous for its ability to fight oxidative stress in the body, and more recently, scientists have discovered that it also has the power to help combat cancer.

Diverse Health Benefits of Luteolin

Antioxidant

Most flavonoids have strong antioxidant properties and are responsible for protecting the body against reactive oxygen species (ROS).

ROS are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen naturally produced in the body as by-products of various metabolic processes.

While some ROS serve essential functions in cell signaling and immune response, excessive ROS can be harmful.

When produced in excess, ROS can cause oxidative stress and damage cell components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. This oxidative stress contributes to the aging process and various diseases, such as cancer, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and atherosclerosis.

Luteolin is known to scavenge ROS and reduce oxidative stress, which may help prevent chronic diseases and cancer.

Anti-Cancer

The anti-cancer property of luteolin has been extensively researched in many cancer types.

Luteolin appears to be capable of stopping cancer cells from growing and spreading, as well as preventing the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow, according to a 2021 study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.

Luteolin has been shown to initiate a process in cancer cells that leads to their programmed self-destruction and reverses specific changes that contribute to cancer development. It can also alter cell structures while increasing the presence of reactive molecules within cells.

Although these findings are mostly from studies done in the lab and on animals, they suggest that luteolin could have promising benefits in the fight against cancer.

Colon Cancer

In an in vivo study on rats, luteolin was seen to shield the outer part of cells and keep their structure strong. This led to a lower chance of developing colon cancer, suggesting that luteolin might help protect against it.

Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis

In another study done on rats, luteolin reduced the spread of colon cancer cells to the liver by 24 percent.

Pancreatic Cancer

Luteolin in combination with gemcitabine (Gem) caused significant tumor cell death in pancreatic tumor cells compared to the control group in a 2015 study. Gem is a chemotherapy medication used in the treatment of various types of cancer.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Some research shows that luteolin could be a beneficial complementary treatment for HCC, a type of liver cancer that’s often very resistant to chemotherapy. A 2018 study done on rats found that luteolin reduced the number of certain cells that promote the growth of blood vessels in tumors. Luteolin also triggered a process called apoptosis, which is a way that cells self-destruct, specifically in liver cells.

Ovarian Cancer

A 2017 study found that luteolin reduced the levels of certain proteins in cancer cells, resulting in slower growth and movement of ovarian cancer cells.

Luteolin has also been shown to be effective against many other cancer types, including lung, breast, glioblastoma, prostate, colon, liver, and head and neck cancer.

Anti-Inflammatory

Luteolin has been shown to suppress and inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 TNF-alpha, iNOS, and COX-2, showing potential for treating inflammatory diseases.

Cytokines are signaling proteins that regulate the immune system’s inflammation response in the body.

This is important because chronic inflammation is found to be the root cause of many diseases.

For example, studies show that the effect of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system is more severe in patients with significantly elevated levels of inflammatory factors such as the cytokine IL-1beta.

A 2020 study published in the PMC COVID-19 Collection by Wiley found that luteolin not only has anti‐inflammatory properties but can also inhibit mast cells secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines including IL‐1beta.

Mast cells are blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system and are responsible for allergic reactions and the body’s response to parasitic infections. When triggered by allergens or pathogens, they release chemical substances such as histamine, which can cause various symptoms such as itching, swelling, and inflammation.

Luteolin has several helpful effects—in addition to reducing inflammation—such as protecting brain cells and improving brain function and memory.

Neuroprotective Effects

The anti-inflammatory effects of luteolin have also been shown to reduce neuroinflammation—inflammation of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

Neuroinflammation is a significant contributor to various neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, demyelinating disorders, and central nervous system infections.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. A 2018 study published in Nutrition Research found that the combination of luteolin and L-theanin improved symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, possibly by enhancing insulin signaling in the hippocampus, regulating norepinephrine metabolism, and reducing neuroinflammation, suggesting that it could be a promising treatment option.

Luteolin has also been a key factor in mitigating brain fog and reduced memory and brain function.

Improved Memory and Brain Function

As we age, many of us experience memory loss and issues with brain function. Pro-inflammatory cytokines called microglia play a role in cognitive aging, as they can become dysregulated during the aging process.

Studies show that luteolin not only improved memory in older mice but has also been shown to effectively reduce inflammatory microglia in the aging brain, consequently improving cognitive function.

One study found that adding luteolin to the diet of mice reduced the activity of microglia as mice aged and when they were exposed to a certain stimulus (lipopolysaccharide). This suggests that luteolin could potentially help lower brain inflammation and enhance thinking abilities in older adults by regulating microglia activity.

Brain Fog

Brain “fog” encompasses various symptoms, including decreased mental sharpness, difficulty focusing, and memory issues—both short-term and long-term.

Those with neuroimmune diseases, long COVID, and autism spectrum disorders suffer from brain fog. Research shows that brain fog may be caused by inflammation-related molecules, such as cytokines and histamine, which are released from mast cells.

A 2015 review published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that a special form of luteolin found in olive fruit extract not only enhanced attention in kids with autism spectrum disorders but also helped with brain fog in patients with mastocytosis, which is an abnormal growth of mast cells. Luteolin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties were also shown to effectively reduce behavioral symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders in children in an open-label pilot investigation. Importantly, no significant adverse effects were observed in children who received a luteolin dose of 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

Other Studied Health Benefits of Luteolin

• Reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
• Chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain management.
• Protection from metal overload toxicity.
• Treatment of psychiatric and behavioral disorders.
• Prevention of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes.
• Protection from musculoskeletal diseases.
• Antimicrobial and antiviral effects including against COVID-19.

Food Sources

According to the book “A Centum of Valuable Plant Bioactives,” radicchio (Italian chicory) and raw Chinese celery are the most abundant vegetable sources of luteolin. Oregano and juniper berries are the highest herbal sources, with raw lemon without the peel being the highest fruit source.

Luteolin content (mg/100 g) in different sources. (Manzoor et al., 2017)

Bio Availability

Although it’s documented that increasing dietary luteolin has many health benefits, research also shows that it has low bioavailability when consumed through foods or used as a therapeutic compound in medications.

Bioavailability is the proportion of a compound that can be absorbed by the body and made available in the bloodstream when ingested orally.

This limitation has prompted research into delivery strategies, such as lipid carriers and nanoformulations, to enhance luteolin’s overall effectiveness when used as a therapeutic agent.

While studies and sources suggest that increasing luteolin intake through diet or supplementation may be beneficial for our bodies, more research is needed to understand the optimal luteolin intake for various health benefits.