An insight into anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin: a review

Abstract

Flavonoids are present naturally in many fruits and vegetables including onions, apples, tea, cabbage, cauliflower, berries and nuts which provide us with quercetin, a powerful natural antioxidant and cytotoxic compound. Due to antioxidant property, many nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals products contain quercetin as a major ingredient nowadays. Current review enlightened sources and quercetin’s role as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancerous and anti-inflammatory agent in medical field during last 5 to 6 years. Literature search was systematically done using scientific for the published articles of quercetin. A total of 345 articles were reviewed, and it was observed that more than 40% of articles were about quercetin’s use as an antioxidant agent, more than 25% of studies were about its use as an anticancer agent, and articles on antimicrobial activity were more than 15%. 10% of the articles showed anti-inflamamatory effects of quercetin. Literature search also revealed that quercetin alone and its complexes with chitosan, metal ions and polymers possessed good antidiabetic properties. Thus, the review focuses on new therapeutic interventions and drug delivery system of quercetin in medical field for the benefit of mankind.

Potential Role of Quercetin in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Complications: A Review

“…QUR is a natural compound of flavonoids, which is not produced in the human body and is found in a variety of food and medicinal plants, such as apples, onions, grapes, cherries, oranges, tomatoes, ginkgo, forsythia, etc. [ 8 , 9 ]. The chemical structure of QUR is C15H10O7 ( Figure 1 ).…”

“…It has a fast metabolic rate and a short half-life in blood, and its bioavailability is low [ 14 ]. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that QUR has anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, anti-inflammation, anti-obesity and neuroprotection properties and shows an inhibition of platelet aggregation, enhancement of mitochondrial synthesis, regulation of intestinal microorganisms and other functions [ 8 , 9 , 15 ]. QUR can intervene in multiple pathological processes of PCOS through multi-target and multi-pathway and is expected to become a new treatment drug for PCOS.…”

Bioactive Flavonoid used as a Stabilizing Agent of Mono and Bimetallic Nanomaterials for Multifunctional Activities

“…Quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7pentahydroxyflavone) is an important flavonoid that possesses antioxidant, antimetastatic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic antiulcer properties. 13 Interestingly, this active flavonoid triggers anticancer effects via G1/S transition or G2/M cell cycle arrest and hinders various molecular cascades' activity. However, the usage of Quercetin was limited in the clinical translation due to its poor bioavailability and solubility.…”

“…However, the usage of Quercetin was limited in the clinical translation due to its poor bioavailability and solubility. [13][14][15] Hence, the bioactivities of Q-stabilized highly-stable metal nanoparticles such as silver, gold, and bi-metallic were tested to develop a bio-nano colloidal formulation for medical applications.…”

New Insights into Potential Beneficial Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Bee Products in Boosting Immunity to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Zinc and Polyphenols

“…Furthermore, the NCT04468139 trial combined quercetin (500 mg), bromelain (500 mg), vitamin C (1000 mg), and zinc (50 mg) as quadruple therapy for COVID-19 patients. Quercetin, a flavonol component highly present in agro-food byproducts, has a long history as a powerful antioxidant molecule in preventing and combating the oxidative damages of several pro-oxidant agents [ 168 ]. More importantly, previous clinical trials (NCT04578158, NCT04377789, NCT04861298, and NCT04861298) have shown the importance of quercetin supplementation as a preventive or a therapeutic tool for COVID-19 treatment.…”