Supplement
Luteolin is a plant flavonoid, found in foods like celery and peppers, that works as an antioxidant and calms inflammatory signaling in cells. Evidence is moderate for smell recovery after COVID, where a review of five studies found a luteolin and PEA combination plus smell training worked better than training alone. That product combined two ingredients, and most other findings come from animal or lab work.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 10 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 5
- Outcomes
- 6
- Graded outcomes
- 0330
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms Open-label pilot study (n=50, 26 weeks): Luteolin formulation (100mg luteolin + 70mg quercetin + 30mg rutin) significantly improved VABS scores: communication (+8.43 months), daily living skills (+7.17 months), social domain (+8 months). 26.6-34.8% reduction in Aberrant Behavior Checklist subscales. No major adverse effects (NCT01847521). | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | ||||
| Neuroprotection (Preclinical) Multiple preclinical studies demonstrate neuroprotective effects in models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Mechanisms include reduced Aβ plaque formation, microglial suppression, and enhanced neuronal survival. Clinical translation pending. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mast Cell Inhibition In vitro studies: Luteolin significantly more potent than cromolyn (standard mast cell stabilizer) at inhibiting release of histamine, tryptase, MMP-9, VEGF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF from human mast cells. Effective at concentrations achievable with oral supplementation. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect |
Respiratory Health
- Post-COVID Olfactory Recovery: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-COVID Olfactory Recovery Systematic review and meta-analysis (5 studies, n=441): PEA+luteolin (CoUltraPEALut) combined with olfactory training showed superior olfactory recovery compared to olfactory training alone in patients with post-COVID olfactory dysfunction. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Inflammation
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory Effects Preclinical and in vitro evidence: Inhibits NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines. Shown to reduce neuroinflammation in sleep deprivation and chronic stress models. Clinical studies limited but mechanism well-established. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Mental Health
- Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects Preclinical studies: Luteolin (10-20 mg/kg) reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors in sleep deprivation, PTSD, and chronic stress animal models. Effects comparable to paroxetine. Mechanisms include NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway modulation. Human clinical trials needed. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Key findings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Mast Cell InhibitionImproves (the measure goes up)
- Post-COVID Olfactory RecoveryImproves (the measure goes up)
Safety notes in the studies
- No major adverse effects (NCT01847521).
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Third-party tested Luteolin products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.
- Grade B
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Studies cited
10 studies from PubMed
- Luteolin Is More Potent than Cromolyn in Their Ability to Inhibit Mediator Release from Cultured Human Mast Cells
- Luteolin: A promising multifunctional natural flavonoid for human diseases
- Luteolin for neurodegenerative diseases: a review
- Potential anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of luteolin in a chronic constriction injury rat model of neuropathic pain: Role of oxidative stress, neurotrophins, and inflammatory factors
- Luteolin reduces fear, anxiety, and depression in rats with post-traumatic stress disorder
- Neuroprotective effects of flavone luteolin in neuroinflammation and neurotrauma
- Luteolin as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent: A brief review
- An open-label pilot study of a formulation containing the anti-inflammatory flavonoid luteolin and its effects on behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders
- Luteolin inhibits mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation
- Luteolin inhibits myelin basic protein-induced human mast cell activation and mast cell-dependent stimulation of Jurkat T cells