Antioxidant ·Emerging evidence ·Reviewed May 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.
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. 9 sources indexed (1998–2015), with 4 interaction records on file.
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
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.
Ranked by evidence and value.
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.
Timing: With a fat-containing meal, can be split morning and evening
Mechanistic and small clinical data center on mast-cell stabilization and microglial/neuroinflammatory modulation; human cognitive evidence remains preliminary. Often combined with quercetin in commercial blends.
Timing: With food; consistent daily use rather than acute single doses
Luteolin inhibits mast-cell mediator release in vitro; clinical allergy data are limited. Not a substitute for prescribed allergy or asthma therapy.
Where this appears in the symptom-to-supplement map, ranked by relevance.
Luteolin inhibits microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release (IL-6, TNF-alpha) and stabilizes mast cells, which may attenuate the neuroinflammatory signaling implicated in subjective cognitive sluggishness. Most supportive data are preclinical or from small uncontrolled cohorts.2,7
Human evidence is limited to small open-label studies (e.g., luteolin-containing formulations in children with autism spectrum disorder); benefit for general adult brain fog is not established.
As a flavone, luteolin inhibits mast cell and basophil degranulation and histamine release and suppresses IgE-mediated allergic responses in vitro and in animal models, which is mechanistically relevant to nasal allergy symptoms.2,7
Antihistaminic and mast-cell-stabilizing effects are well demonstrated preclinically; rigorous human trials in allergic rhinitis are lacking.
Luteolin downregulates NF-kappaB signaling and reduces COX-2, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, lowering inflammatory mediator production in cell and animal models.2,8
Anti-inflammatory mechanisms are consistent across preclinical studies; controlled human data for joint or arthritic conditions are minimal.
Luteolin and quercetin are both flavonoids with overlapping mast-cell-stabilizing, antihistaminic, and NF-kappaB-inhibiting anti-inflammatory activity, and they are frequently co-formulated for allergy and neuroinflammatory support.
Recommendation: Combining is reasonable for additive flavonoid effects. Because both are flavonoids that inhibit CYP and UGT enzymes, be cautious when also taking narrow-therapeutic-index medications and discuss with a clinician.
Luteolin and curcumin both suppress NF-kappaB-driven inflammation and microglial activation, providing complementary anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective signaling.
Recommendation: Co-supplementation is reasonable for an anti-inflammatory stack. Monitor if combined with anticoagulants given curcumin's antiplatelet potential.
Luteolin inhibits several cytochrome P450 enzymes (including CYP3A4 and CYP1A2) and drug transporters, whereas St. John's Wort is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein. Co-use creates opposing and unpredictable effects on the metabolism of many medications.
Recommendation: Avoid relying on this combination to manage any medication regimen. Anyone on St. John's Wort for mood should consult a clinician before adding luteolin, since St. John's Wort itself has extensive drug interactions.
Luteolin and green tea catechins (notably EGCG) share antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenol activity and may provide additive support, though both inhibit drug-metabolizing enzymes.
Recommendation: Reasonable to combine at typical supplemental doses. Be mindful of high-dose green tea extract's rare hepatotoxicity risk and shared CYP/UGT inhibition when taking medications.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Describes luteolin's ability to inhibit mast cell activation and mediator release, supporting its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory use.
Reviews luteolin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, including suppression of NF-kB signaling and reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators.
Reports luteolin's poor aqueous solubility and rapid conjugative metabolism, which limit systemic exposure after oral dosing.
Dietary luteolin decreased microglial inflammatory markers and improved working memory in aged mice.
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