The study is a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of luteolin for the treatment of people with schizophrenia, who present with residual symptoms and cognitive impairments. The study will be conducted at two sites: The Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC) and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Participants will be randomized to either 300mg BID luteolin (three 100mg capsules) or placebo. We hypothesize that luteolin will have significant beneficial effects on global psychopathology and cognitive impairments; decrease antioxidant stress and levels of inflammatory markers; and that improvement in global psychopathology and cognition will be associated with changes in the oxidative stress and inflammatory measures. We also hypothesize that luteolin will be associated with improvements in positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Luteolin is a natural product found in foods such as celery, green pepper, parsley, and chamomile tea. It has been found to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study is to determine if luteolin helps improve symptoms of schizophrenia.