Luteolin as a modulator of skin aging and inflammation

Luteolin belongs to the group of flavonoids and can be found in flowers, herbs, vegetables and spices. It plays an important role in defending plants, for example against UV radiation by partially absorbing UVA and UVB radiation. Thus, luteolin can also decrease adverse photobiological effects in the skin by acting as a first line of defense. Furthermore, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of luteolin were described on keratinocytes and fibroblasts as well as on several immune cells (e.g., macrophages, mast cell, neutrophils, dendritic cells and T cells). Luteolin can suppress proinflammatory mediators (e.g., IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, TNF-alpha and COX-2) and regulate various signaling pathway (e.g., the NF-kappa B, JAK-STAT as well as TLR signaling pathway). In this way, luteolin modulates many inflammatory processes of the skin. The present review summarizes the recent in vitro and in vivo research on luteolin in the field of skin aging and skin cancer, wound healing as well as inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis, contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. In conclusion, luteolin might be a promising molecule for the development of topic formulations and systemic agents against inflammatory skin diseases.