Researchers from Nagoya University in Japan conducted a study on luteolin, a natural antioxidant found in common foods such as celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, and peppers. The investigation explored whether luteolin could help preserve natural hair color and slow the loss of pigment in hair fibers. In controlled experiments using mice, scientists observed that luteolin helped maintain the animals’ pigmentation over time, with treated groups graying more slowly than untreated controls. Although these findings are preliminary, they suggest luteolin may play a protective role in hair pigmentation by supporting the function of pigment-producing cells within hair follicles. The team notes that this effect was not shared by every antioxidant tested, marking luteolin as a standout among the compounds examined. This work sits within the broader field of antioxidant research and contributes to the ongoing effort to identify substances that support color retention in aging hair. Attribution: peer-reviewed antioxidant study.
Lead author Professor Masashi Kato and co-author Dr. Tama Kagawa evaluated several antioxidants, including candidates named GES Transponds and Diosmetin, alongside luteolin. Among the substances tested, luteolin demonstrated a statistically meaningful impact on hair pigmentation in the model. The researchers propose that this activity may reflect how pigment-regulating signals are transmitted between cells, a process in which endothelins are involved. Endothelin peptides help modulate the function of pigment cells in hair follicles, and luteolin may help sustain their signaling, reducing the decline in pigment production. The study acknowledges that the precise molecular interactions require additional work, but the early data point toward a plausible mechanism linking luteolin to preserved hair color. These results open avenues for further investigation in cosmetic science and dermatology. Attribution: peer-reviewed antioxidant study.
Importantly, the researchers found that luteolin did not speed up hair growth or change how quickly hair fibers emerge from follicles. Instead, its effect was limited to maintaining color, preventing pigment loss as hair cycles through growth phases. This distinction makes luteolin an appealing candidate for future research in cosmetics and trichology, especially for products intended to extend the natural color life of hair. The data suggest that a topical or ingestible formulation containing luteolin could complement existing color-preserving strategies by providing an additional line of defense against age-related color changes. Long-term human trials will be necessary to confirm these effects and to evaluate safety in everyday use. Attribution: peer-reviewed antioxidant study.
Because luteolin already appears in supplements and hair-care products, it could become the basis for new color-preserving items. Researchers plan human trials to confirm safety.
A final note in the report mentions that a related protein complex had been identified earlier in similar studies. While that earlier discovery did not resolve the color question by itself, it offers a hint about the network of signals within hair follicles that regulate pigment production. Ongoing research aims to map these interactions more precisely and to understand how luteolin fits into this larger signaling framework. In summary, luteolin stands out as a promising lead in a field that seeks to extend natural hair color through safe, evidence-based products and strategies. The work underscores the value of continuing basic and translational research in cosmetics and dermatology. Attribution: peer-reviewed antioxidant study.