The Phytochemical Luteolin Shows Strong Potential Against COVID-19 and Long COVID
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 07, 2025 5 hours, 52 minutes ago
Medical News: A new scientific review has revealed that luteolin, a natural flavonoid found in everyday foods such as celery, broccoli, parsley, chamomile tea, and oranges, could play a powerful role in combating COVID-19. Researchers from the Department of Chemistry, School of Forensic Medicine and the Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University in Shenyang, China, have highlighted how this plant-derived compound works on multiple levels to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to this
Medical News report, luteolin not only directly interferes with the virus itself but also protects the body by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, two major factors linked with severe COVID-19 and long-term complications.
The Phytochemical Luteolin Shows Strong Potential Against COVID-19 and Long COVID
How Luteolin Works Against the Virus
The study explained that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, uses proteins such as the spike (S) protein to enter human cells, along with enzymes like 3CLpro, PLpro, and RdRp for replication. Luteolin was shown to bind strongly to these viral proteins, preventing them from carrying out their functions. This includes stopping the spike protein from attaching to the ACE2 receptor on human cells, which is the first critical step in viral infection.
Luteolin also affects the viral nucleocapsid protein, which normally helps package the virus’s genetic material. By blocking this process, luteolin can disrupt viral replication and spread. Importantly, the compound also interacts with host cell enzymes like TMPRSS2 and furin, which the virus uses to fuse with cells, making it harder for the infection to establish itself.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
Beyond directly stopping the virus, luteolin provides protection by calming the body’s harmful overreactions. Severe COVID-19 often leads to a “cytokine storm,” a dangerous surge of inflammatory molecules that can damage lungs, blood vessels, and other organs. Luteolin was found to reduce key inflammatory markers such as IL-6, TNF-α, and STAT3, while also working as a scavenger of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) that worsen tissue damage.
Network pharmacology analysis showed that luteolin targets at least 46 key genes linked to COVID-19 progression. This multi-target action suggests that luteolin is not only antiviral but also acts as a protective shield for blood vessels, the heart, and the brain.
Potential Benefits for Long COVID
Interestingly, the study also points out luteolin’s role in managing lingering symptoms of long COVID, especially brain fog. The compound was reported to reduce neuroinflammation caused by overactive mast cells, offering a potential pathway for improving cognitive recovery after infection.
Conclusion
This research shines a spotlight on luteolin as a natural compound with signific
ant promise in treating COVID-19. By directly blocking the virus, reducing inflammation, and controlling oxidative stress, luteolin offers a rare “three-in-one” defense mechanism. While more clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in patients, the findings suggest that luteolin could be developed into safe and widely available antiviral therapies. The fact that it is already present in common fruits, herbs, and vegetables makes it even more appealing. If future trials prove successful, luteolin could represent a breakthrough in natural compound-based strategies against both COVID-19 and its long-term effects.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal Pharmaceuticals.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/9/1329
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-doctors-discover-herbal-extract-that-could-reduce-lung-inflammation-triggered-by-covid-19-spike-proteins
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-medical-researchers-explore-luteolin-s-potential-in-reducing-covid-19-inflammation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/italian-study-finds-that-supplementation-with-palmitoylethanolamide-and-luteolin-improves-long-covid-conditions
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/italian-meta-study-finds-that-palmitoylethanolamide-and-luteolin-can-aid-in-treatment-of-olfactory-dysfunction-in-long-covid
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