What foods contain luteolin-7-glucoside naturally?

Luteolin-7-glucoside is found in various plants including Ailanthus altissima, artichokes, celery, and certain citrus fruits. The compound is also present in herbs like thyme and oregano, though concentrations vary significantly between plant sources.

How does luteolin-7-glucoside differ from regular luteolin?

Luteolin-7-glucoside is a glycosylated form of luteolin with a glucose molecule attached at the 7-position, making it more water-soluble than luteolin aglycone. This structural difference affects absorption, bioavailability, and cellular uptake, potentially altering its biological activity compared to free luteolin.

What is the recommended dosage for luteolin-7-glucoside supplements?

No standardized dosage has been established for luteolin-7-glucoside supplements due to limited clinical research. Most studies have used plant extracts containing variable amounts rather than isolated compounds, making specific dosage recommendations impossible without further human trials.

Can luteolin-7-glucoside help with heart disease?

Preliminary laboratory studies suggest luteolin-7-glucoside may protect cardiac cells from oxidative damage, but human clinical evidence is lacking. While antioxidant properties are documented in cell studies, cardiovascular benefits in humans remain unproven and require clinical trials for confirmation.

Does luteolin-7-glucoside have any proven anti-inflammatory effects?

Laboratory research indicates luteolin-7-glucoside may modulate inflammatory pathways and reduce oxidative stress markers in cell studies. However, anti-inflammatory effects in humans have not been clinically demonstrated, and the compound's therapeutic potential remains under investigation in preliminary research phases.

Is luteolin-7-glucoside safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

There is currently insufficient clinical evidence regarding the safety of luteolin-7-glucoside supplementation during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it should not be used in these populations without professional medical guidance. As a precautionary measure, pregnant and nursing women should consult their healthcare provider before supplementing with luteolin-7-glucoside. Most clinical safety data remains preliminary, limiting definitive recommendations for these sensitive populations.

Does luteolin-7-glucoside interact with common medications?

Limited research exists on specific drug interactions with luteolin-7-glucoside; however, as a flavonoid glycoside with antioxidant activity, it may theoretically interact with medications metabolized through cytochrome P450 enzymes or anticoagulants. Individuals taking prescription medications, particularly blood thinners or medications for chronic conditions, should inform their healthcare provider before adding luteolin-7-glucoside supplements. Always consult a pharmacist or doctor to assess potential interactions with your specific medication regimen.

What is the bioavailability difference between luteolin-7-glucoside and other forms of luteolin?

Luteolin-7-glucoside is a glycosylated form of luteolin, meaning the glucose moiety can enhance intestinal absorption compared to aglycone luteolin by facilitating uptake through specific glucose transporters in the gut. However, the glucose must be cleaved by gut microbiota or intestinal enzymes before the free luteolin can exert systemic effects, which may delay bioavailability. The glycoside form may provide more stable delivery to the colon, whereas aglycone luteolin may be absorbed higher in the small intestine, making each form potentially advantageous depending on target tissue location.

Luteolin-7-glucoside

Luteolin-7-glucoside is a flavonoid glycoside that acts as an antioxidant compound by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. This bioactive compound demonstrates protective effects against cellular damage, particularly in cardiac tissues and respiratory conditions.

Category: Compound Evidence: 4/10 Tier: Emerging

Luteolin-7-glucoside — Hermetica Encyclopedia

Origin & History

Luteolin-7-O-glucoside (also known as cynaroside or luteoloside) is a glycosyloxyflavone consisting of luteolin with a beta-D-glucopyranosyl sugar moiety attached at position 7. This flavonoid compound with molecular formula C₂₁H₂₀O₁₁ is found naturally in plants including Ailanthus altissima, Reseda luteola, and Olea europaea, where it functions as a plant metabolite with documented antioxidant properties.

Historical & Cultural Context

The research does not provide information about historical use in traditional medicine systems or the duration of traditional use for luteolin-7-O-glucoside. Traditional applications and ethnobotanical documentation are not detailed in the available sources.

Health Benefits

• Antioxidant activity: Functions as a documented antioxidant compound (evidence quality: preliminary)
• Potential antiasthmatic effects: Referenced in Ailanthus altissima research (evidence quality: preliminary)
• Cardiac cell protection: May protect against oxidative injury in cardiac cells according to cynaroside studies (evidence quality: preliminary)
• Potential anticancer properties: Mentioned as a possible ADC payload for cancer treatment (evidence quality: preliminary)
• Note: Limited clinical evidence available; benefits based on preliminary research only

How It Works

Luteolin-7-glucoside exerts antioxidant effects by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting lipid peroxidation through its phenolic hydroxyl groups. The compound activates antioxidant enzyme systems including superoxide dismutase and catalase while modulating inflammatory pathways. In cardiac cells, it protects against oxidative injury by stabilizing cell membranes and reducing mitochondrial damage.

Scientific Research

The available research lacks specific human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses with complete PubMed PMIDs for luteolin-7-O-glucoside. While sources reference antiasthmatic activity evaluation and protective effects against oxidative injury in cardiac cells, these citations lack complete PMID information and detailed study protocols necessary for comprehensive clinical evaluation.

Clinical Summary

Current research on luteolin-7-glucoside is primarily limited to in vitro and animal studies, with preliminary evidence supporting its antioxidant properties. Studies on Ailanthus altissima extracts containing this compound have investigated potential anti-asthmatic effects, though human clinical trials are lacking. Laboratory research demonstrates protective effects against oxidative damage in cardiac cell models, but clinical efficacy in humans remains unestablished. The evidence quality is considered preliminary and requires further human studies to confirm therapeutic benefits.

Nutritional Profile

Luteolin-7-glucoside (also known as cynaroside) is a flavone glycoside, not a macronutrient-containing food ingredient but a discrete bioactive phytochemical compound with molecular weight of 448.38 g/mol (molecular formula C21H20O11). As a pure compound, it contains no protein, fat, or dietary fiber. Carbohydrate content is inherent to its glycoside structure — the glucose moiety accounts for approximately 40% of molecular mass. It is classified under the flavonoid subclass flavones, with the parent aglycone being luteolin conjugated to a glucose unit at the 7-position. Naturally occurring concentrations in plant sources vary: found in artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaves at approximately 0.1–0.5% dry weight, in chamomile flowers at trace to 0.2% dry weight, and in celery, parsley, and Ailanthus altissima at variable concentrations typically below 0.3% dry weight. Bioavailability notes: The 7-glucoside form undergoes intestinal hydrolysis by lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) and cytosolic beta-glucosidase (CBG), releasing free luteolin aglycone for absorption; oral bioavailability is estimated to be moderate (roughly 5–20% depending on food matrix and gut microbiome activity). The glycoside form shows improved water solubility compared to free luteolin (logP reduced from ~2.5 to approximately 0.8), which may enhance gastrointestinal dissolution. Peak plasma concentrations in animal models observed at 1–2 hours post-ingestion. No established dietary reference intake or recommended daily amount exists for this compound.

Preparation & Dosage

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available in the provided research. The compound is available as an analytical standard with ≥98% purity (HPLC), but therapeutic dosage recommendations or standardization protocols for clinical use have not been established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Other flavonoids, luteolin, quercetin, vitamin C, olive leaf extract

Safety & Interactions

Safety data for luteolin-7-glucoside as an isolated supplement is limited due to lack of human clinical trials. As a flavonoid compound, it is generally well-tolerated when consumed through food sources, but concentrated supplement forms may interact with medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplemental forms due to insufficient safety data. Individuals taking anticoagulant medications should consult healthcare providers as flavonoids may potentiate blood-thinning effects.