PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF LUTEOLIN-7-O-GLUCOSIDE: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS UNDERLYING ITS ANTICANCER, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, AND NEUROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Luteolin-7-O-glucoside (LUT-7G), also known as cynaroside, is a naturally occurring flavonoid glycoside widely distributed in medicinal plants and dietary sources. Growing evidence has highlighted its diverse pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties. The therapeutic potential of LUT-7G is primarily attributed to its ability to regulate multiple intracellular signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic reprogramming. In cancer, LUT-7G suppresses tumor progression through induction of apoptosis, inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), modulation of the Warburg effect, and regulation of JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, ERK, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling pathways. Furthermore, LUT-7G demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing NF-κB, IL-22/STAT3, and JAK1/STAT6 signaling while reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have also reported significant neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease through attenuation of oxidative stress, inhibition of amyloid-β aggregation, suppression of neuroinflammation, and prevention of neuronal apoptosis. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the pharmacological activities, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of LUT-7G while highlighting existing research gaps and future clinical prospects.