Luteolin is a tetrahydroxyflavone in which the four hydroxy groups are located at positions 3', 4', 5 and 7. It is thought to play an important role in the human body as an antioxidant, a free radical scavenger, an anti-inflammatory agent and an immune system modulator as well as being active against several cancers. It has a role as an antineoplastic agent, an angiogenesis inhibitor, a radical scavenger, an immunomodulator, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor antagonist, an anti-inflammatory agent, an apoptosis inducer, an EC 2.3.1.85 (fatty acid synthase) inhibitor, a nephroprotective agent, a plant metabolite and a c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor. It is a 3'-hydroxyflavonoid and a tetrahydroxyflavone. It is a conjugate acid of a luteolin-7-olate.
