Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid abundant in fruits and vegetables and has received increasing attention for its neuroprotective properties.
Foods with high concentrations of luteolin
- Fruits like apples, apricots, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and oranges.
- Herbs and vegetables like Chamomile, sage, thyme, artichoke leaves, lemon, parsley, celery, carrots, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, green pepper.
- Olive oil.
Pharmacological actions of luteolin
· Antiinflammatory
· antioxidant
· Immunomodulation
· Strengthening blood-brain barrier
Rationale for use in brain dysfunction
- Neuro-inflammation plays a crucial part in neuro-behavioral dysfunction
- Immune system abnormalities are involve in many brain dysfunction like autism
- Allergies are common in many patients especially those with autism
- Mast cells are involved in allergic phenomenon, inflammation and immune modulation
- Mast cell activation is seen in autism
- Luteolin acts on mast cells inhibiting release of inflammatory chemical mediators thus suppressing inflammation.
Potential actions of luteolin in brain
1. Protect susceptible brain cells
2. Potentiate actions of existing brain cells
3. Stimulate regeneration of more brain cells especially to replace dead or dysfunctional brain cells or neurons.
Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health
Animal data on luteolin
- Luteolin decreases death of brain cells as a result of neuroinflammation.
- Luteolin diminishes diabetes induced cognitive dysfunction, decreased memory and mental speed. These changes in diabetes occur due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Luteolin decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6) induced behavioral problems of social interaction in mice.
Human studies of luteolin in autism spectrum disorders
A study of 37 children with autism showed that parents of subjects who took a dietary supplement containing luteolin and quercetin for 4 months reported significant improvements of eye contact, attention and social interaction in many of the patients. However, no objective measures were used in that study.
Luteolin in autism study
Dr. Taliou and colleagues from the Second Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Attikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece conducted a trail of dietary supplement containing luteolin in subjects with autism spectrum disorders and reported their findings in the journal Clinical Therapeutics.
Design of Luteolin-autism study
- Open labeled trial
- 50 kids (4-10 years of age) with autism
- Symptom list confirmed by using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
- ASD diagnosis relying on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
Luteolin-autism study intervention and follow up
- Each capsule of flavonoid formulation contained100 mg of luteolin 100mg derived from chamomile plus 70 mg of quercetin 70 mg and 30 mg of quercetin glycoside rutin.
- Dose: 1 capsule per 10 kg body weight per day for 26 weeks
- Baseline evaluation followed by follow-up at 18 weeks and 26 weeks.
Outcome measures of Luteolin-autism study
- Primary outcome was based on Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales domains which include communication, daily living skills and socialization.
- Secondary outcomes comprised of Aberrant Behavior Checklist, the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement score.
Results of Luteolin-autism study
- 40 subjects completed the study. Six withdrew due to increased irritability due to intervention, one due to noncompliance and one withdrew after completing baseline evaluation.
- VABS composite score improved significantly suggesting an improved adaptive functioning.
- Of VABS subsets, there was a significant improvement in daily living skills as well as social domains, whereas the improvement in communication demonstrated a trend towards significant improvement.
- ABI scores were significantly higher for all domains.
- ABC scores demonstrated a significant improvement on hyperactivity, irritability, lethargy as well as stereotypic behavior (p<0.01) whereas improvement in inappropriate speech showed trend towards improvement.
- ATEC scores improved only for health/physical/behavior.
Adverse effects in luteolin-autism study
The most frequent side effect was escalation of irritability which caused a withdrawal from study in 6 patients.
Conclusions/comments on luteolin-autism study
- Multiple pathogenic mechanisms are involved in neurobehavioral dysfunction. Mast cells are involved in inflammation, immune modulation, allergic phenomenon etc. These cells may one of the key pathways of behavioral dysfunction characterized by neuroinflammation and autoimmune dysregulation.
- Since multiple pathways may be involved in such disorders, multi-therapeutic strategy has the best prospect of outcome.
- The results of this study suggest that suppression of this important mast cell pathway may potentially enhance the effect of other therapeutic modalities. Large randomized controlled trials are needed however to confirm above findings.
Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health
