Luteolin

Luteolin is a flavonoid compound with a distinctive yellow crystalline structure that's found throughout the plant kingdom. You'll encounter it in high concentrations in celery, parsley, thyme, peppermint, and chamomile, as well as in artichokes, broccoli, and green peppers [1]. Structurally, it belongs to the flavone subclass of flavonoids, characterized by its specific hydroxyl group positioning that gives it unique biological activity.

What makes luteolin particularly interesting is its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier — a property not shared by all flavonoids [2]. This neurotropic capacity, combined with its anti-inflammatory profile, has made it a compound of significant research interest. Unlike many plant compounds that work primarily through antioxidant pathways, luteolin demonstrates direct receptor activity and enzyme modulation that extends well beyond simple free radical scavenging.

The compound appears in both free and glycosylated forms in plants, with the glycosides typically being more water-soluble but requiring enzymatic breakdown for absorption. This is why extraction methods and preparation techniques can significantly impact luteolin bioavailability in botanical products.