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When compared to other flavonoids, only luteolin and quercetin inhibited platelet-activating factor and suppressed a type of inflammatory response induced by allergens by inhibiting lipoxygenase. Luteolin inhibited the excess production of TNF-alpha, which directly causes inflammation and apoptosis (cell death). The scientists who conducted the study concluded that luteolin could be used to develop a novel type of anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic drugs. .
A study assessed the antioxidant potencies of several dietary flavonoids compared with vitamin C. Pretreatment with all flavonoids and vitamin C produced dose-dependent reductions in oxidative DNA damage. When ranked in order of potency, luteolin was two times more effective than vitamin C by the Trolox test and more effective than seven other flavonoids in reducing DNA oxidative damage. A 2010 University of Illinois study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that luteolin, a super-nutrient that had already been documented as having anti-inflammatory effects in the body, can also reduce brain inflammation and reverse age-related memory deficits by directly blocking the release of inflammatory molecules in the brain. Its common knowledge that antioxidants reduce inflammation in the body and that inflammation is the cause behind much illness, including many auto-immune diseases. Inflammation in the brain
seems to play a major role in age-related memory loss. The University of Illinois study suggests that luteolin acts directly on the immune cells in the brain and spinal cord (known as microglial cells), reducing their production of inflammatory cytokines in the brain, small proteins that affect communication between and behavior of cells. Luteolins effect in decreasing the release of these proteins helps protect, Luteolin has been studied in several preliminary in vitro scientific investigations. Proposed activities include antioxidant activity (ie. scavenging of free radicals), promotion of carbohydrate metabolism, and immune system modulation. Other in vitro studies suggest luteolin has anti-inflammatory activity, and that it acts as a monoamine transporter activator, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor,and an interleukin 6 inhibitor. In vivo studies show luteolin affects xylazine/ketamine-induced anesthesia in mice. In vitro and in vivo experiments also suggest luteolin may inhibit the development of skin cancer. Importantly, the therapeutic value of the above findings is unclear, and will remain so until further detailed in vivo, toxicity, and clinical studies are performed.