Graying hair is commonly linked with aging, but new research from Nagoya University in Japan suggests that a natural vegetable antioxidant, luteolin, could slow or even prevent this process.
Scientists Masashi Kato and Takumi Kagawa identified luteolin as a potential solution to suppress graying. In their study, they focused on three antioxidants—luteolin, hesperetin, and diosmetin—to evaluate their anti-graying effects in specially bred mice whose fur grays like human hair.
The results were striking: the mice that received luteolin maintained their black fur, while their counterparts developed gray fur, regardless of whether the antioxidant was administered externally or internally.
“This result was surprising,” said Professor Kato. “While we expected antioxidants to have anti-graying effects, only luteolin—not hesperetin or diosmetin—showed significant effects. This suggests that luteolin may have a unique role in preventing graying.”
Luteolin, found in vegetables like celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, and peppers, works by influencing endothelins—proteins involved in cellular communication. The study revealed that luteolin helped preserve the expression of endothelins and their receptors, supporting healthy signaling pathways that prevent the decline of melanocyte activity, which typically leads to graying.
“Interestingly, luteolin had limited effects on hair cycles, suggesting its primary benefit is in pigmentation rather than hair growth or shedding,” Kato noted. This focused action makes luteolin a promising candidate for future applications.
Given the similarities between the graying processes in mice and humans, the study’s findings offer hope for translating these results into human treatments. Luteolin is already available in supplement form for both oral and topical use, making it a practical ingredient for further research into anti-graying solutions. As research continues, luteolin could become a valuable addition to hair care products, offering a way to maintain natural hair color as we age.
Dr. Kagawa plans to conduct more extensive studies to determine whether luteolin’s anti-aging effects might also help with balding.
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