Luteolin: The Powerful Plant Compound That Protects Bones and Prevents Osteoporosis

The flavonoid luteolin has a wide range of effects that support healthy bone formation, according to a review of studies published in October 2025. Researchers compiled published evidence of the compound's potential for managing osteoporosis and other bone metabolism disorders.

In this article, we'll review the bone-boosting mechanisms documented in these studies. You'll learn exactly how luteolin benefits your bones and which foods are the best sources.

Luteolin's Bone-Building Benefits

Scientists published a review of studies on the bone health benefits of the antioxidant compound luteolin.

Luteolin is a flavonoid, a class of plant polyphenols with powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It is found in numerous edible plants and offers a variety of health benefits, including antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

The 2025 review of studies focuses on luteolin's impacts on bone health, including its ability to promote bone formation and support healthy remodeling.

Studies in cell cultures have found that luteolin both protects osteoblast activity and promotes the formation of new bone cells. At the same time, it inhibits osteoclast activation, which reduces bone resorption.¹

Osteoblasts are the cells responsible for forming new bone, while osteoclasts resorb old or damaged bone tissue. An imbalance between these two parts of the bone remodeling cycle drives bone loss. Natural compounds like luteolin can help to rebalance the process from both sides.¹

Studies of bone metabolic disorders in animal models have found that luteolin significantly enhances key measures of bone health, including bone mass, trabecular thickness, and density. Trabecular bone is the mesh-like tissue that makes up the interior of long bones and vertebrae. These measurements indicate enhanced architectural integrity of bone, going beyond a simple increase in bone mineral density.¹

Synopsis

A review of studies found that the polyphenol flavonoid luteolin positively impacts bone health through promoting bone formation and healthy remodeling. Luteolin protects bone-building osteoblasts and limits bone-resorbing osteoclasts to help maintain healthy bone turnover.

How Luteolin Supports Bone Health

Studies included in the review show that luteolin influences the behavior of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). These special stem cells have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into different cell types, including osteoblasts.¹

Luteolin increased the expression of type 1 collagen, the bone-building protein osteopontin, and a transcription factor called Runx2 in BMSCs, which promoted the formation of cells that support healthy bone remodeling.¹

One study administered luteolin to ovariectomized mice for 12 weeks. The results showed that luteolin increased bone mineral density and other measures of bone quality. Luteolin modulated multiple signaling pathways to inhibit oxidative stress, reduce inflammatory responses, and regulate cell death.¹

Additionally, luteolin's anti-inflammatory properties are well established to protect the bone remodeling process. An enzyme called TBK1, produced by the body, triggers an inflammation process that impedes healthy bone remodeling. Luteolin inhibits TBK1, preventing bone-damaging inflammation.²

Synopsis

Studies have identified multiple pathways by which luteolin protects bone and promotes healthy bone remodeling. Luteolin inhibits oxidative stress, reduces inflammatory responses, and regulates cell death.

How To Add Luteolin To Your Diet

Luteolin is present in several plant compounds used in traditional Chinese medicine; however, luteolin supplements have shown low bioavailability in animal studies.

If you choose to take a supplement, opt for the liposomal version, which offers the best bioavailability. Most liposomal luteolin supplements contain anywhere from 100mg to 500mg per softgel.

Fortunately, you can ensure you're getting the benefits of luteolin by including the following luteolin-rich foods in your diet.

• Blueberries*
• Green bell peppers*
• Pumpkin*
• Chicory greens
• Radicchio
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Peppermint
• Chamomile
• Thyme
• Parsley*
• Celery*
• Carrots*
• Artichoke*
• Olive oil

*Denotes Foundation Food

Synopsis

Luteolin is best absorbed from the foods listed above. If you would like to take a supplement, choose the liposomal version for best bioavailability.

What This Means To You

Luteolin is emerging as one of the most impactful flavonoid compounds for bone health. Eating luteolin-rich foods boosts the bone formation process and helps to prevent bone loss. Additionally, those foods are almost all alkalizing Foundation Foods that make it easy to follow an 80/20 pH-balanced diet.

You'll find these luteolin-rich ingredients and other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables throughout the recipes in Bone Appétit, the Save Institute's cookbook and meal planner. The dishes in Bone Appétit are specially designed to prevent acidification, protect your bones, and delight your taste buds. These recipes are simple, delicious, and soon-to-be-favorites you'll look forward to making again and again.

Make your diet part of a bone-healthy lifestyle that keeps you active and independent for decades to come.

References

¹ https://www.dovepress.com/luteolins-potential-in-managing-osteoporosis-and-bone-metabolism-disor-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DDDT

² https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/Publications.htm?seq_no_115=230138