A Review on Biomedical Properties of The Antioxidant Luteolin

Abstract

3′, 4′, 5, 7-tetrahydroxyflavone, luteolin, which is present in Onions, Broccoli and other dietary suppliments, is an important flavinoid, present in our daily nutrition in less than 1 mg/day. Various Epidemiological studies have led to the discovery of the anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects of luteolin. These properties are partly due to its anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging capacities. Luteolin was found to delay or block the development of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by protection from carcinogenic stimuli, by the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, by the arrest of cell cycle and by the induction of apoptosis through the suppression of cellular pathways, which induce the tumor suppressor p53. Luteolin was found to be the most effective flavinoid in inhibiting the tumor cell proliferation. Luteolin is being used to cure skin cancer. In this review, we focus on the reasons for the anticancer role and the molecular mechanisms which favours this property.