Theoharides, Theoharis C, Tsilioni, Irene · Current topics in medicinal chemistry · 2018 · DOI
This review examines how certain molecules in the brain called cytokines and neuropeptides may trigger inflammation in specific brain areas (the hypothalamus and amygdala) in people with ME/CFS. The authors propose that a natural compound called tetramethoxyluteolin (a modified form of a plant-derived substance called luteolin) might help reduce this inflammation and improve symptoms. The study suggests this compound could be delivered directly into the nasal passages to reach the brain more effectively.
This work addresses a critical gap in ME/CFS research by proposing a testable biological mechanism (brain inflammation via mast cell and microglial activation) and identifying a specific compound for investigation. For patients, it offers a potential therapeutic avenue based on neurobiological hypotheses that could explain multiple ME/CFS symptoms and open pathways for future clinical trials.
This review does not establish that tetramethoxyluteolin is effective in humans with ME/CFS—no clinical trial data is presented. It does not prove that the proposed inflammatory mechanism is the primary driver of ME/CFS (correlation vs. causation remains unresolved), nor does it validate any objective biomarkers for the disease. The evidence remains largely theoretical and mechanistic.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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Primary citation
Theoharides, Theoharis C & Tsilioni, Irene (2018). Tetramethoxyluteolin for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases.. Current topics in medicinal chemistry. https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026617666181119154247
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-theoharides-2018-tetramethoxyluteolin-treatment,
author = {Theoharides, Theoharis C and Tsilioni, Irene},
title = {Tetramethoxyluteolin for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases.},
journal = {Current topics in medicinal chemistry},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.2174/1568026617666181119154247},
note = {PubMed: 30451113},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/theoharides-2018-tetramethoxyluteolin-treatment},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-28. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/theoharides-2018-tetramethoxyluteolin-treatment
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