Luteolin
Antioxidant ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated September 28, 2026
Luteolin is a plant-derived flavone found in many fruits, vegetables, and herbs that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mast-cell-stabilizing properties. It is marketed for cognitive and immune support, often combined with related flavonoids such as quercetin or rutin to improve its otherwise modest oral bioavailability.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Luteolin is an antioxidant most often used for antioxidant and free-radical scavenging support, anti-inflammatory effects, mast-cell stabilization and allergy/histamine support. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging. A typical adult dose is 100-300 mg per day, often divided; some formulations combine it with quercetin or rutin, commonly taken as liposomal or lipid-based luteolin (or luteolin combined with quercetin/rutin) to improve absorption. This profile indexes 4 sources.
- Generally well tolerated at typical doses
- Mild gastrointestinal upset
- Nausea
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
- Use with caution alongside medications metabolized by CYP enzymes due to potential interactions3
The bottom line
Evidence rating emerging. Most-documented uses: antioxidant and free-radical scavenging support, anti-inflammatory effects, mast-cell stabilization and allergy/histamine support. 4 sources indexed (2008–2013), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Luteolin acts through several overlapping pathways. As a polyphenol it scavenges reactive oxygen species and activates the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant response, while also inhibiting pro-inflammatory signaling by suppressing NF-kB activation and reducing production of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta. It stabilizes mast cells and basophils, limiting the release of histamine and other mediators, and modulates microglial activation in the central nervous system, which underlies its investigational role in neuroinflammation. Luteolin can also inhibit certain enzymes (including phosphodiesterases and select cytochrome P450 isoforms) and has been reported to influence kinase signaling pathways relevant to cell proliferation in preclinical models.1,2
Dosing & protocol.
Luteolin has low aqueous solubility and modest oral bioavailability; taking it with a fat-containing meal or using liposomal/micellar formulations can improve uptake. It is extensively metabolized to glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Free aglycone capsule/powder.
Per-dose pricing assumes a ~100-200 mg effective daily dose. Plain luteolin powder and quercetin-luteolin blends are cheapest; liposomal/phytosome forms and standardized perilla extracts command a premium. Isolated luteolin generally costs more than common flavonoids like quercetin due to lower production volume. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Generally well tolerated at typical doses
- Mild gastrointestinal upset
- Nausea
- Headache
- Possible allergic reaction in sensitive individuals
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
- Use with caution alongside medications metabolized by CYP enzymes due to potential interactions3
- Caution with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy
- Known allergy to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family (e.g., chamomile)
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reviews & position papers
3- 1Luteolin inhibits mast cell-mediated allergic inflammationKritas SK, Saggini A, Cerulli G, et al. · Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents · 2013
Describes luteolin's ability to inhibit mast cell activation and mediator release, supporting its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory use.
- 2Luteolin, a flavonoid with potential for cancer prevention and therapyLin Y, Shi R, Wang X, Shen HM · Current Cancer Drug Targets · 2008
Reviews luteolin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, including suppression of NF-kB signaling and reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators.
- 3The bioavailability, metabolism and pharmacokinetics of luteolinSarawek S, Derendorf H, Butterweck V · Planta Medica · 2008
Reports luteolin's poor aqueous solubility and rapid conjugative metabolism, which limit systemic exposure after oral dosing.
Mechanistic & preclinical
1- 4Luteolin reduces microglial inflammation and improves spatial working memory in aged miceJang S, Dilger RN, Johnson RW · Journal of Nutrition · 2010
Dietary luteolin decreased microglial inflammatory markers and improved working memory in aged mice.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Luteolin, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Luteolin?
Luteolin is a plant-derived flavone found in many fruits, vegetables, and herbs that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mast-cell-stabilizing properties. It is marketed for cognitive and immune support, often combined with related flavonoids such as quercetin or rutin to improve its otherwise modest oral bioavailability.
What is Luteolin used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Luteolin include: Antioxidant and free-radical scavenging support; Anti-inflammatory effects; Mast-cell stabilization and allergy/histamine support; Cognitive and neuroinflammatory support (investigational); Immune modulation. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging.
What is a typical dose of Luteolin?
A typical adult dose of Luteolin is 100-300 mg per day, often divided; some formulations combine it with quercetin or rutin. The commonly recommended form is Liposomal or lipid-based luteolin (or luteolin combined with quercetin/rutin) to improve absorption. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Luteolin?
Reported side effects include generally well tolerated at typical doses, mild gastrointestinal upset, nausea, headache, possible allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Luteolin?
NutriStack rates this as Emerging, meaning early RCT signal, mechanistic data, or limited human evidence. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Luteolin in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.