image: Anti-graying effect of external luteolin treatment
Credit: Masashi Kato
Graying hair is a hallmark of aging, often considered an inevitable part of growing older. However, recent research from Nagoya University in Japan led by Masashi Kato and Takumi Kagawa suggests that an antioxidant might suppress this process. The researchers identified luteolin, an antioxidant found in vegetables including celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, and peppers, as being a potential anti-graying agent. Their findings pave the way for potential applications in human hair care.
The researcher’s study focused on three antioxidants—luteolin, hesperetin, and diosmetin—to assess their anti-graying effects in mice that were bred to go gray like humans. The difference was startling, the mice that received luteolin retained their black fur, even as their cage mates' fur turned gray, regardless of whether the luteolin was given externally or internally.
“This result was surprising,” Professor Kato said. “While we expected that antioxidants may also have anti-graying effects, only luteolin, not hesperetin or diosmetin, demonstrated significant effects. This finding suggests that luteolin may have a unique medicinal effect that prevents graying.”
Luteolin's anti-graying effects are closely linked to its influence on endothelins—proteins that play a crucial role in cellular communication. In the study, luteolin treatments preserved the expression of endothelins and their receptor. This preservation supports healthy signaling pathways, preventing the decline in melanocyte activity that typically accompanies graying.
“Interestingly, luteolin had limited effects on hair cycles, indicating that its primary impact is on pigmentation rather than hair growth or shedding,” Professor Kato said. “This targeted action makes luteolin a particularly intriguing candidate for addressing age-related hair graying.”
The similarities between the hair graying processes in the model mice and humans offer encouraging prospects for translating these findings into human applications. As well as vegetables, luteolin is already available as a supplement for topical and oral use, making it a viable candidate for further development as an anti-graying treatment. As research progresses, this antioxidant could become a key ingredient in hair care regimens, helping individuals preserve their natural hair color as they age.
Building on these promising results, Dr. Kagawa envisions broader applications for luteolin in age-related research. “It would be interesting to investigate whether luteolin's anti-aging effects could also be applicable to other age-related changes, including balding.”
Journal
Antioxidants