Recent research suggests that luteolin, an antioxidant found in foods like parsley and celery, may help prevent hair from turning gray. In a study conducted on mice, which are set up to age similarly to humans, luteolin was effective in reducing gray hair. Unlike other antioxidants tested, such as hesperetin and diosmetin, luteolin showed promising results by maintaining the function of key stem cells in hair follicles. This study was published in the journal Antioxidants and s indicates that luteolin may help preserve natural hair color by enhancing cell function and communication within hair follicles.

In the experiments, mice received luteolin treatments both internally and externally for 16 weeks. The results were significant: the mice treated with luteolin had less gray hair, indicating that luteolin might protect against hair graying by enhancing cellular functions and interactions. The study also noted a decrease in aging markers and an increase in protective endothelin-1 transcript expression levels, helping to explain the reduction in gray hair.

However, these promising results are currently limited to animal models and human cell cultures. Further research is needed to confirm if luteolin can effectively prevent gray hair in humans. There are also practical considerations for using luteolin, such as its yellow color, and determining the correct dosages for safe and effective use. While more studies are necessary, luteolin continues to attract attention for its potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and possible protective effects on the heart, adding to the interest in its role in anti-aging research.

SOURCE:

Medical News Today, February 13, 2025