Luteolin is an important flavone, a naturally occurring non-toxic plant compound, which seems to have important anti-cancer properties.
Because of previous anti-cancer studies with several types of cancer, researchers from Columbia Medical School, Missouri conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments(1) on Luteolin with a cancer where orthodox medicine offers little: Triple Negative Breast Cancer, or TNBC.
Women with TNBC frequently develop metastatic lesions originating from drug-resistant residual cells. Most breast cancer-related deaths from TNBC occur following metastasis of the cancer cells and then development of tumors at secondary sites.
Researchers Mathew Cook, Yayun Liang, Cynthia Besch-Williford and Salman Hyder showed that in an in vivo study of human TNBC cells in mice. Luteolin (LU) suppressed metastases to the lungs. In vitro studies showed LU inhibited cell migration and cancer cell growth. Indeed, even low levels of LU suppressed Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and this VEGF inhibition could probably apply to many cancers. The results were published December 22nd 2016.
Go To: Bioactive compounds can correct breast cancer and even TNBC
VEGF is a protein which drives angiogenesis, or the formation of blood supplies to tumours. In healthy humans it promotes wound healing, but when out of control it promotes blood supply and tumour growth. VEGF is also responsible for signalling and promotes cancer stem cell growth and tumour initiation. VEGF is thus involved in many cancers from breast to prostate cancer and lung to brain tumours.
Plants rich in Luteolin have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat inflammatory diseases including allergies, hypertension and cancer.
Previous research(2) has shown Luteolin’s anticancer properties include induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis.
Luteolin also sensitises cancer cells and increases the success of anti-cancer drugs. It helps by encouraging cell death (apoptosis) and stimulates the p53 gene.
(NF-κB), and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), and stimulating apoptosis pathways including those that induce the tumor suppressor p53.
Epidemiology studies have frequently shown a link between luteolin and cancer prevention.
Dietary sources of luteolin include carrots, peppers, artichoke, celery, olive oil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme and peppermint.
All these foods are commonly found in The Rainbow Diet. See below to buy the books - the Rainbow Diet, and, Rainbow Recipes.
Ref:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28096694
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2615542/