Luteolin
Luteolin is a plant flavonoid found in parsley, celery, artichoke, and oregano. Lab studies consistently show it inhibits mast cell mediator release and pro-inflammatory cytokines — more potently than cromolyn in cell culture. The catch: almost no human RCTs. The most-cited human data come from open-label trials of a luteolin-containing formulation (NeuroProtek) in autism, which showed biomarker changes but no placebo control.
Quick decision guide
May help most
Adults curious about a low-risk flavonoid to add to a varied diet; people exploring adjuncts for mast cell activation symptoms or allergic inflammation, with realistic expectations that human evidence is preliminary.
Common dosing range
100–400 mg/day in supplement form. Often combined with quercetin (which has more human evidence). Liposomal or phospholipid formulations are used in the autism trials.
When to expect effects
Not established in controlled human studies. The open-label autism trial assessed at 26 weeks.
Watch out for
Human safety data at supplemental doses are limited. Theoretical CYP450 and platelet-function effects mean caution with anticoagulants and CYP-substrate medications.
Evidence snapshot
What is it
Luteolin is a flavone polyphenol found in many plants, especially parsley, celery, artichokes, oregano, peppers, and various herbs. It is used in supplements for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Mast cell stabilisation (mechanism, not clinical endpoint) Limited Evidence | Strong inhibition of mediator release in vitro; no validated clinical effect size | People exploring MCAS adjuncts under specialist care, alongside evidence-based H1/H2 blockers and cromolyn | Not established for clinical endpoints |
Allergic inflammation / allergic rhinitis Mixed Evidence | No validated human clinical-endpoint data | None established | Not established |
Neuroinflammation and autism spectrum disorders Mixed Evidence | IL-6 ~−47 pg/mL; TNF ~−174 pg/mL (open-label, uncontrolled). Behavioural change in subgroup only | Families exploring complementary options with autism specialist input; understand it's exploratory | Months (autism trial was 26 weeks) |
General inflammation Mixed Evidence | No validated human clinical-endpoint data | People eating a varied flavonoid-rich diet (parsley, celery, citrus, oregano) — luteolin is part of that natural intake | Not established in humans |
Cancer prevention Mixed Evidence | No validated human cancer prevention or treatment effect | None established for cancer prevention | Not established |
Mast cell stabilisation (mechanism, not clinical endpoint)
- Effect
- Strong inhibition of mediator release in vitro; no validated clinical effect size
- Best fit
- People exploring MCAS adjuncts under specialist care, alongside evidence-based H1/H2 blockers and cromolyn
- Time
- Not established for clinical endpoints
Allergic inflammation / allergic rhinitis
- Effect
- No validated human clinical-endpoint data
- Best fit
- None established
- Time
- Not established
Neuroinflammation and autism spectrum disorders
- Effect
- IL-6 ~−47 pg/mL; TNF ~−174 pg/mL (open-label, uncontrolled). Behavioural change in subgroup only
- Best fit
- Families exploring complementary options with autism specialist input; understand it's exploratory
- Time
- Months (autism trial was 26 weeks)
General inflammation
- Effect
- No validated human clinical-endpoint data
- Best fit
- People eating a varied flavonoid-rich diet (parsley, celery, citrus, oregano) — luteolin is part of that natural intake
- Time
- Not established in humans
Cancer prevention
- Effect
- No validated human cancer prevention or treatment effect
- Best fit
- None established for cancer prevention
- Time
- Not established
Evidence for 5 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
Mast cell stabilisation (mechanism, not clinical endpoint)
Mechanism onlyLuteolin is one of the most potent natural mast cell stabilisers in cell culture. Multiple in vitro studies show it inhibits histamine, tryptase, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 release from cultured human mast cells, in some experiments more potently than cromolyn (a clinically used mast-cell drug). The mechanism is well-replicated. The translation to clinical endpoints in humans (allergy symptoms, MCAS, urticaria) has NOT been demonstrated in controlled trials.
Bottom line: Mechanism is real; clinical use is speculative. Don't substitute for proven mast cell or allergy treatments.
Allergic inflammation / allergic rhinitis
Mechanism onlyPreclinical work in mice and ex vivo human PBMCs shows luteolin reduces house-dust-mite-induced allergic symptoms, IgE, eosinophil infiltration, and CD4+ IL-4 production. No published placebo-controlled RCT in humans with allergic rhinitis assessing standard symptom endpoints (TNSS, rhinoconjunctivitis QoL).
Bottom line: Lab signals only. For real allergy symptoms, use proven options first.
Neuroinflammation and autism spectrum disorders
Mechanism onlyThe Theoharides group has published case series and open-label trials of a luteolin/quercetin/rutin liposomal formulation (NeuroProtek) in children with ASD. The 2015 study (n=40, 26 weeks) found serum IL-6 and TNF dropped significantly, with behavioural improvement in the high-cytokine subgroup. Crucially, no placebo control — and the formulation is a mix of three flavonoids, not luteolin alone. This is hypothesis-generating, not validating.
Bottom line: Preliminary biomarker data only. Not a treatment. Don't use in place of evidence-based ASD support.
Evidence is mixed
All published ASD data on this formulation come from one research group, are open-label without placebo control, and study a multi-flavonoid blend. Independent replication has not occurred.
General inflammation
Mechanism onlyIn vitro, luteolin inhibits NF-κB and downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines. Animal models of arthritis, colitis, and metabolic disease show benefit. Human RCT data on clinical inflammation outcomes (e.g., hsCRP, joint pain, IBD) are essentially absent at supplemental doses.
Bottom line: Mechanism interesting; human evidence absent. Get it from food first.
Cancer prevention
Mechanism onlyLuteolin shows anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on cancer cell lines (breast, colon, prostate, lung). Animal models show tumour growth inhibition. NO human clinical trials show luteolin reduces cancer incidence or progression. Diets rich in flavonoid-containing vegetables are associated with lower cancer risk, but attributing that to luteolin specifically is unsupported.
Bottom line: Don't use for cancer. Eat vegetables.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
Bottom line: Start low, take with food, give it 2–3 months. Set realistic expectations — human evidence is preliminary at supplement doses.
4 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Luteolin (aglycone)
Standard supplement formPure luteolin without the sugar moiety. Used in most clinical and preclinical studies. Poorly water-soluble — absorption is improved by taking with fat or in a phospholipid carrier.
Low aqueous solubility; absorption improves with dietary fat.
Luteolin-7-glucoside
Dietary formThe form most prevalent in food (parsley, celery, oregano). Hydrolysed in the gut to free luteolin. Some supplements use this form.
Hydrolysed to free luteolin during digestion.
Liposomal or phospholipid luteolin
Premium formulationLuteolin encapsulated in phospholipid vesicles or olive-kernel-oil-based liposomes (NeuroProtek). Designed to improve absorption. Human PK comparison data are limited; the autism trial used this format.
Claimed but poorly characterised absorption advantage in humans.
Luteolin + quercetin combo
Common for allergyMarketed for mast cell and allergy support. Quercetin has more human data (mostly preliminary too); pairing them is common but doesn't make either better-evidenced.
Two flavonoids together; effects can't be cleanly attributed.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Serious risks
Long-term safety at supplemental doses has not been formally established. Most clinical data come from short open-label trials.
Luteolin can inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 in vitro. Theoretical risk of raising blood levels of drugs metabolised by these enzymes (warfarin, statins, theophylline, many others). Clinical interactions have not been well documented.
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people — safety data are absent.
- People on warfarin or other anticoagulants without clinician oversight — theoretical bleeding/PK risk.
- People scheduled for surgery within 2 weeks — discontinue and tell the surgical team.
- Anyone on a narrow-therapeutic-index medication metabolised by CYP3A4/1A2 — discuss with the prescriber.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No safety data for supplemental luteolin in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Avoid supplementation; dietary intake from parsley, celery, oregano, and artichoke is generally considered safe at typical food amounts.
Bottom line: Likely safe at supplemental doses for short-term use in healthy non-pregnant adults. Long-term and high-dose safety not established; respect the theoretical drug-interaction concerns.
Interactions
Flavonoids including luteolin show mild antiplatelet effects in vitro and may inhibit warfarin metabolism via CYP2C9 inhibition. Theoretical risk of elevated INR or bleeding. If you take warfarin, discuss any new flavonoid supplement with your prescriber and monitor INR.
Luteolin inhibits CYP3A4 in vitro, theoretically raising levels of CYP3A4-metabolised drugs. Clinical magnitude is unclear. For narrow-therapeutic-index drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), discuss before combining.
Theoretical inhibition could raise levels of CYP1A2-metabolised drugs. Clinical relevance unclear at supplemental doses.
Often used in combination for mast cell symptoms. No documented pharmacokinetic interaction; additive symptom relief possible. Use one or the other to clearly attribute benefit.
Food sources
| Food | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh parsley, raw, ¼ cup | ¼ cup (~2.6 mg) | — |
| Celery, raw, 1 cup chopped | 1 cup (~0.8 mg) | — |
| Artichoke, cooked, 1 medium | 1 medium (~1.2 mg) | — |
| Oregano, dried, 1 tsp | 1 tsp (~0.2 mg, very concentrated by weight) | — |
| Green sweet peppers, 1 cup | 1 cup (~0.3 mg) | — |
| Sage, dried, 1 tsp | 1 tsp (~0.1 mg) | — |
| Thyme, dried, 1 tsp | 1 tsp (~0.1 mg) | — |
Fresh parsley, raw, ¼ cup
- Amount
- ¼ cup (~2.6 mg)
- %DV
- —
Celery, raw, 1 cup chopped
- Amount
- 1 cup (~0.8 mg)
- %DV
- —
Artichoke, cooked, 1 medium
- Amount
- 1 medium (~1.2 mg)
- %DV
- —
Oregano, dried, 1 tsp
- Amount
- 1 tsp (~0.2 mg, very concentrated by weight)
- %DV
- —
Green sweet peppers, 1 cup
- Amount
- 1 cup (~0.3 mg)
- %DV
- —
Sage, dried, 1 tsp
- Amount
- 1 tsp (~0.1 mg)
- %DV
- —
Thyme, dried, 1 tsp
- Amount
- 1 tsp (~0.1 mg)
- %DV
- —
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
Does luteolin help with allergies?⌄
Luteolin has mast cell-stabilizing properties demonstrated in laboratory studies, and some patients with allergy or mast cell activation report symptomatic benefit. Robust clinical trials are limited.
How does luteolin compare to quercetin?⌄
Both are flavonoids with similar antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mast cell-stabilizing properties. They are often combined in supplements for synergistic effects.
Can luteolin help with brain fog or cognition?⌄
Preclinical research suggests luteolin may reduce neuroinflammation. Some small clinical studies (especially in autism) have shown promising results, but evidence is preliminary.
What foods are high in luteolin?⌄
Parsley, celery, artichokes, oregano, and green peppers are among the highest dietary sources. Regular consumption of these herbs and vegetables provides meaningful dietary intake.
Is luteolin safe to take long-term?⌄
Short-to-medium term use at typical doses is well tolerated. Long-term safety beyond a year has not been thoroughly studied.
References by claim
Neuroinflammation and autism spectrum disorders
Mast cell stabilisation (mechanism, not clinical endpoint)
Track Luteolin with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.