Eat Your Veggies, Keep Your Color? Luteolin and Hair Graying

New Study Suggests Luteolin Stops Hair Graying

Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have found in a recent study that luteolin, a powerful antioxidant present in commonly eaten vegetables like celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, and peppers, is promising in stopping hair from graying with age.

The research, conducted by Masashi Kato and Takumi Kagawa, was to test the impact of three antioxidants—luteolin, hesperetin, and diosmetin—on genetically engineered mice that turned gray with age. What the researchers found was astounding: luteolin on its own had a significant ability to maintain the mouse's dark pigment, even if it was applied topically or taken orally.

The scientists were most interested in studying the ability of antioxidants to inhibit the graying process, a general marker of aging. While antioxidants are generally responsible for many beneficial effects on human well-being, in the current situation, the scientists were most interested in their ability to preserve hair pigmentation. The findings were particularly noteworthy as luteolin, unlike hesperetin and diosmetin, showed a clear and potent anti-graying action.

Luteolin's action on hair graying is thought to be related to its action on endothelins—proteins that are vital for cell-to-cell communication. In the test, luteolin blocked the decrease in expression of endothelins and their receptors, which are responsible for normal pigmentation of the hair. Maintenance of endothelins ensures normal melanocyte function, which prevents color loss of hair.

The study showed that the activity of luteolin was mainly limited to pigmentation retention and no activity on other mechanisms of hair growth, such as the hair cycle of growth or shedding. This suggests that the first mechanism of action of luteolin is prevention of hair color loss and, therefore, a very promising candidate for activity against age whitening of hair.

Even though more research needs to be conducted, these findings hold promising uses in the future for human consumption. Because luteolin naturally occurs in most vegetables and is now being sold as a supplement, it can be made into an effective anti-graying agent for humans. Being able to utilize luteolin in topical treatments or incorporating it into hair care products is an attractive option for those who want to maintain their natural hair color for the duration of their lifetime.

Furthermore, the cross-species comparability of human and mouse aging offers optimism to the prospect of extending these results to human therapy. As researchers continue their investigations into the potential uses of luteolin, perhaps someday it will be a common ingredient in products that will help prevent graying.

Aside from hair dyeing, the research also indicates luteolin's potential wider application in aging studies. It was talked about by researcher Dr. Kagawa that it would be great to know whether the anti-aging property of luteolin could be applied somewhere else in age processes, for example, balding or hair loss. The avenue could become available for additional complete treatments for a number of signs of aging.

The study, which was captioned Anti-Graying Effects of External and Internal Treatments with Luteolin on Hair in Model Mice, was printed on December 17, 2024, in the Antioxidants journal.

Potential for Human Applications
The findings of the study have generated interest in whether luteolin can be used to sustain the pigmentation of human hair. Luteolin is already available as a dietary supplement and as skin creams and is thus easily available for additional human trials. It is thus one of the most probable contenders for eventual treatments of graying with age.

Conclusion:With ongoing studies, researchers think that luteolin has potential applications also in broader cosmetic and health product use. Luteolin being a natural compound found in various vegetables, it is safe for consumption, and this fact might make it a strong candidate for being used in anti-graying products.The discovery could ultimately lead to novel over-the-counter remedies, such as shampoos or conditioners with luteolin, or even hair-color-preserving nutritional supplements. If further studies replicate these promising results, luteolin may be the favorite of age-related hair treatment and anti-aging therapy in the near future.