A critical review of Luteolin's effects on glycolipid metabolism and the underlying molecular mechanisms

The increasing global incidence of diabetes and obesity has heightened the desire for safer, more effective, and natural treatment agents. Luteolin, a flavonoid prevalent in fruits, vegetables, and herbs, has demonstrated potential antidiabetic and anti-obesity properties among dietary polyphenols. This article analyzes the molecular pathways that contribute to luteolin's therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Luteolin exhibits antidiabetic effects via diminishing oxidative stress, improving insulin sensitivity through modifications in insulin signaling pathways, and blocking enzymes like α-glucosidase and α-amylase that are integral to glucose metabolism. Concurrently, its anti-obesity actions encompass the suppression of adipogenesis, promotion of lipolysis, augmentation, improvement of gut microbiota composition, and mitigation of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in adipose tissues. The poor bioavailability and the pharmacokinetics of luteolin are also examined. Moreover, many in vivo preclinical investigations validate luteolin's preventive effects in mitigating hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation generated by obesity. Luteolin is a promising natural supplement for the integrated control of diabetes and obesity through multi-targeted molecular pathways with minimal side effects. This narrative review encompasses around 19 in vivo animal studies and 3 human studies chosen for their mechanistic insights into the modulation of glycolipid metabolism by luteolin. Studies were included that evaluated the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects of luteolin. The scarcity of human data and issues related to bioavailability underscore the necessity for clinical trials and formulation studies.