Quercetin: A Versatile Flavonoid

Abstract

Associative evidence from observational and intervention studies in human subjects shows that a diet including plant foods (particularly fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants) conveys health benefits. There is no evidence that any particular nutrient or class of bioactive substances makes a special contribution to these benefits. Flavonoids occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and beverages such as tea and wine. Quercetin is the major flavonoid which belongs to the class called flavonols. Quercetin is found in many common foods including apples, tea, onions, nuts, berries, cauliflower, cabbage and many other foods. Quercetin provides many health promoting benefits, including improvement of cardiovascular health, eye diseases, allergic disorders, arthritis, reducing risk for cancers and many more. The main aim of this review is to obtain a further understanding of the reported beneficial health effects of Quercetin, its pharmacological effects, clinical application and also to evaluate its safety.

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Internet Journal of Medical Update, Vol. 2, No. 2, Jul-Dec 2007 Clinical Knowledge
Quercetin: A Versatile Flavonoid
Dr. Parul Lakhanpal*, MD and Dr. Deepak Kumar Rai†, MD
*Reader, Department of Pharmacology, SSR Medical College, Mauritius
†SMHO, Department of Pediatrics, Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, Mauritius
(Received 04 January 2007 and accepted 29 March 2007)
ABSTRACT: Associative evidence from observational and
intervention studies in human subjects shows that a diet including plant
foods (particularly fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants) conveys
health benefits. There is no evidence that any particular nutrient or
class of bioactive substances makes a special contribution to these
benefits. Flavonoids occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and beverages
such as tea and wine. Quercetin is the major flavonoid which belongs to
the class called flavonols. Quercetin is found in many common foods
including apples, tea, onions, nuts, berries, cauliflower, cabbage and
many other foods. Quercetin provides many health promoting benefits,
including improvement of cardiovascular health, eye diseases, allergic
disorders, arthritis, reducing risk for cancers and many more.
The main aim of this review is to obtain a further understanding of the
reported beneficial health effects of Quercetin, its pharmacological
effects, clinical application and also to evaluate its safety.
KEY WORDS: Quercetin, Flavonoid, Antioxidant, Health.
INTRODUCTION:
Quercetin is a unique bioflavonoid that has been
extensively studied by researchers over the past
30 years. Bioflavonoids were first discovered by
Nobel Prize laureate Albert Szent Gyorgyi in the
year 1930. Flavonoids belong to a group of
natural substances with variable phenolic
structure and are found in the fruits, vegetables,
grains, bark roots, stem, flowers, tea and wine1.
These natural products were known for their
beneficial effects on health long before
flavonoids were isolated as the effective
compounds. More than 4000 varieties of
flavonoids have been identified, many of which
are responsible for their attractive colors of
flowers, fruits and leaves2.
Flavonoids occur as aglycones, glycosides and
methylated derivatives. The flavonoid aglycone
consists of a benzene ring (A) condensed with a
six membered ring (C), which in the 2-position
carries a phenyl ring (B) as a substituent3. The
Flavonoids can be divided into various classes
on the basis of their molecular structures (Figure
1)4.
Six-member ring condensed with the benzene
ring is either a-pyrone (flavonols and
flavonones) or its dihydroderivative (flavanols
and flavanones). The position of the benzenoid
substituent divides the flavonoid class into
flavonoids (2-position) and isoflavonoids (3-
position). Flavonols differ from flavonones by
hydroxyl group the 3-position and C2-C3 double
bonds5. Flavonoids are often hydroxylated in
position 3, 5, 7, 2’, 3’, 4’, 5’. Methylethers and
acetylesters of the alcohol group are known to
occur in nature. When glycosides are formed, the
glycosidic linkage is normally located in
positions 3 or 7 and the carbohydrate can be L-
rhamnose, D-glucose, glucor-hamnose, galactose
or arabinose6. Flavonoids are mainly divided into
seven major groups (figure-2)7. One of the best
described flavonoids, Quercetin is a member of
this group.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Parul Lakhanpal, Reader, Department of Pharmacology, SSR Medical
College, Belle-Rive, Mauritius, Email: lakhanpalparul@rediffmail.com
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Figure 1: Structures of the major classes of Flavonoid4
Figure 2: Major classes of Flavonoids7
Quercetin is found in abundance in onions,
broccoli, apples and berries. The second group is
flavanones, which are mainly found in citrus
fruits. An example of a Flavonoid in this group is
naringinin. Flavonoids belonging to the catechins
are mainly found in green and black tea and in
red wine, whereas, anthocyanins are found in
strawberries, other berries, grapes, wines and
tea2. Flavonoid contents of different foods are
shown in Table-1.
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Table 1: Main groups of flavonoids, compounds and food sources
Groups Compounds Food sources
Flavonols
Quercetin
Kaempferol
Myricetin
Isorhamnetin
Querctagetin
Yellow onion, Curly kale,
Leek, Cherry tomato,
Broccoli, Apple, Green and
black tea, Black grapes,
Blueberry.
Flavones
Tangeretin
Heptamethoxyflavone
Nobiletin
Sinensetin
Quercetogetin
Chrysin
Apegenin
Luteolin
Disometin
Tricetin
Parsley, Celery, Capsicum
pepper.
Flavanones
Naringenin
Eriodictyol
Hesperetin
Dihydroquercetin
Dihydrofisetin
Dihydrobinetin
Orange juice, Grapefruit
juice, Lemon juice.
Flavanols
Silibinin
Silymarin
Taxifolin
Pinobanksin
Cocoa, Cocoa beverages,
Chocolates.
Catechins
(Proanthocyanidins)
(+) Catechin
Gallocatechin
(-) Epicatechin
Epigallocatechin
Epicatechin 3-gallate
Epigallocatechin 3-gallate
Chocolate, Beans, Apricot,
Cherry, Grapes, Peach, Red
wine, Cider, Green tea, Black
tea, Blackberry.
Isoflavones Daidzein
Genistein
Glycitein
Soy cheese, Soy flour, Soy
bean, Tofu.
Anthocyanins
Cyanidin
Delphinidin
Malvidin
Pelargonidin
Peonidin
Petunidin
Blue berry, Blackcurrant,
Black grapes, Cherry,
Rhubarb, Plum, Strawberry,
Red wine, Red cabbage.
Quercetin, the most abundant of the flavonoids
(the name comes from the Latin –quercetum,
meaning oak forest, quercus oak) consists of 3
rings and 5 hydroxyl groups (Figure-3)8.
Quercetin is a member of the class of flavonoids
called flavonoles and forms the backbone for
many other flavonoids including the citrus
flavonoids like rutin, hesperidins, Naringenin
and tangeritin. It is widely distributed in the
plant kingdom in rinds and barks. Quercetin
itself is an aglycon or aglucone that does not
possess a carbohydrate moiety in its structure.
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Quercetin is typically found in plants as glycone
or carbohydrate conjugates. Quercetin glycone
conjugates include rutin and thujin. Rutin is also
known as Quercetin-3-rutinoside.Thujin is also
known as quercitrin, Quercetin-3-L-rhamnoside
and 3-rhannosyl qurcetin. Onions contain
conjugates of Quercetin and carbohydrate iso
rhamnetin including Quercetin-3-4’-di-o-beta
glucoside, isorhamnetin-4’-o-beta glucoside and
Quercetin-4’-o-beta glucoside.
Figure-2 Molecular structure Quercetin8
MECHANISM OF ACTION:
Anti-oxidative action:
The best described property of Quercetin is its
ability to act as antioxidant. Quercetin seems to
be the most powerful flavonoids for protecting
the body against reactive oxygen species,
produced during the normal oxygen metabolism
or are induced by exogenous damage9,10. One of
the most important mechanisms and the
sequence of events by which free radicals
interfere with the cellular functions seem to be
the lipid peroxidation leading eventually the cell
death. To protect this cellular death to happen
from reactive oxygen species, living organisms
have developed antioxidant line of defense
systems11. These include enzymatic and non-
enzymatic antioxidants that keep in check
ROS/RNS level and repair oxidative cellular
damage. The major enzymes, constituting the
first line of defence, directly involved in the
neutralization of ROS/RNS are: superoxide
dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and
glutathione peroxidase (GPx) The second line of
defence is represented by radical scavenging
antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A and
plant phytochemicals including quercetin that
inhibit the oxidation chain initiation and prevent
chain propagation .This may also include the
termination of a chain by the reaction of two
radicals. The repair and de novo enzymes act as
the third line of defence by repairing damage and
reconstituting membranes. These include lipases,
proteases, DNA repair enzymes and
transferases12.
Direct radical scavenging action:
Free radical production in animal cells can either
be accidental or deliberate. With the increasing
acceptance of free radicals as common place and
important biochemical intermediates, they have
been implicated in a large number of human
diseases13,14. Quercetin acting as free radical
scavengers was shown to exert a protective effect
in reperfusion ischemic tissue damage15,16,17.
Quercetin prevents free radical induced tissue
injury by various ways. One way is the direct
scavenging of free radicals. By scavenging free
radicals, Flavonoid; particularly Quercetin can
inhibit LDL oxidation in vitro18. This action
protects against atherosclerosis.
Inducible nitric oxide syntheses Inhibitory
action:
Quercetin results in a reduction in ischemia –
reperfusion injury by interfering with inducible
nitric oxide synthase activity19. Nitric oxide is
produced by several different types of cells
including endothelial cells and macrophages.
Although the early release of nitric oxide through
the activity of constitutive nitric oxide synthase
is important in maintaining the dilatation of
blood vessels20, the much higher concentration of
nitric oxide produced by inducible nitric oxide
synthase in macrophages can result in oxidative
damage. In these circumstances the activated
macrophages greatly increase their simultaneous
production of both nitric oxide and superoxide
anions. Nitric oxide reacts with free radicals,
thereby producing high damaging peroxynitrite.
Peroxynitrite can directly oxidize LDLs resulting
in irreversible damage to cell membranes.
Quercetin causes scavenging of free radicals;
therefore can no longer react with nitric oxide,
resulting in less damage21. Nitric oxide
interestingly can be viewed as radical itself and
can directly be scavenged by Flavonoids22.
Xanthine oxidase inhibitory action:
The xanthine oxidase pathway has been
implicated as an important route in the oxidative
injury to the tissues especially after ischemia-
reperfusion23. Both xanthine dehydrogenase and
xanthine oxidase are involved in the metabolism
of xanthine to uric acid. Xanthine dehydrogenase
is the form of the enzyme present under
physiological condition but its configuration
changed to xanthine oxidase during oxidative
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stress and ischemic conditions. Quercetin seems
to inhibit xanthine oxidase activity thereby
resulting in decreased oxidative injury19, 24, 25.
Decreasing Leukocyte immobilization:
The immobilization and the firm adhesions of
leukocytes to the endothelial wall is another
major mechanism responsible not only for the
formation of oxygen derived free radicals but
also for the release of cytotoxic oxidants and
inflammatory mediators and further activation of
complement system. Under normal conditions
leukocytes move freely along the endothelial
walls. However during ischemia and
inflammation, various factors mainly endothelial
derived mediators and complement factors may
cause adhesions of the leukocytes to the
endothelial walls, thereby immobilizing them
and stimulating degranulation of neutrophils. As
a result oxidants and inflammatory mediators are
released, resulting in injury to the tissues. Oral
administration of purified micronized flavonoids
fraction was reported to decrease the number of
immobilized leukocytes during reperfusion,
which may be related to its protective
mechanism against inflammatory conditions26.
Modulation of gene expression:
Recent studies indicate that the radical
scavenger property of Quercetin is unlikely to be
the sole explanation for their neuroprotective
capacity and in fact, a wide spectrum of cellular
signaling events may well account for their
biological actions27.
Much recent interest has focused on the potential
of Quercetin to interact with intracellular
signaling pathways such as with the mitogen-
activated protein kinase cascade. The strong
neurotoxic potential of quercetin in primary
cortical neurons may occur via specific and
sensitive interactions within neuronal mitogen-
activated protein kinase and Akt/protein kinase B
(PKB) signaling cascades, both implicated in
neuroal apoptosis. Quercetin induced potent
inhibition of both Akt/PKB and ERK
phosphorylation, resulting in reduced
phosphorylation of BAD and a strong activation
of caspase-327.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is one of
the major proinflammatory cytokines involved in
the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory
diseases and is modulated by oxidative stress28,29.
TNF-α also triggers the cellular release of other
cytokines, chemokines, or inflammatory
mediators and displays antiviral and
antimicrobial effects30,31,32. Quercetin
significantly inhibited TNF-α production and
gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. A
decrease in endogenous TNF-α production in the
presence of quercetin indicates that flavonoids
have the capacity to modulate the immune
response and have potential anti-inflammatory
activity. In addition to its well-known
proinflammatory role, TNF-α has complex
effects on the growth, differentiation, and death
of immune cells. TNF-α inhibition is a validated
approach to treat several inflammatory
diseases28. Quercetin-induced suppression of
TNF-α can result in the stimulation of anti-
inflammatory cytokines via inhibiting the
activation of NF-κβ, and therefore, one can
anticipate that quercetin could be widely used as
an anti-TNF-α therapy. Kaneuchi et al33
showed that quercetin has anti-proliferative
activity and the mechanisms of quercetin action
may be through modulation of cell cycle and cell
growth regulatory genes. Quercetin can suppress
proliferation of Ishikawa cells (endometrial
carcinoma) through down-regulation of EGF and
cyclin D1.
Interaction with other enzyme systems:
Quercetin interacts with calmodulin, a calcium
regulatory protein34. Calmodulin transports
calcium ion across cellular membranes, initiating
numerous cellular process. Quercetin appears to
act as calmodulin antagonist. Through this
mechanism, Quercetin functions at cell
membrane level with a membrane stabilizing
action35. Quercetin inhibits calmodulin
dependent enzyme present at cell membrane
such as ATPases and phospholipases thereby
influencing membrane permeability36. Quercetin
affects other calmodulin dependent enzymes that
control various cellular functions, including the
secretions of histamine from mast cells4. A
number of investigations have demonstrated the
ability of Quercetin, to reduce histamine
secretion from mast cells in various tissues and
also from basophils37-42. The enzyme inhibitory
action of Quercetin extends to phospholipases
which catalyses the release of arachidonic acid
from phospholipids stored in cell membranes.
Arachidonic acid serves as a key substrate for
substances such as thromboxane, inflammatory
prostaglandins and leukotrienes. In addition,
Quercetin also inhibits the enzymes
cyclooxygenase and Lipooxygenase which
catalyses the conversion of arachidonic acid to
its metabolites42,43,44. Reducing levels of these
metabolites as well as histamine levels, is
beneficial in maintaining the normal comfort
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level of body tissue and structures. Quercetin has
also been shown to limit the function of adhesion
molecules on endothelial cells45. Quercetin also
chelates ions of transition metals such as iron
which can initiate the formation of oxygen free
radicals46,47. Direct inhibition of lipid
peroxidation is another protective measures48.
PHARMACOKINETICS:
The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of
flavonoids has been an area of active research in
the last decade. To date, approximately 100
studies have reported the pharmacokinetics of
individual flavonoids in healthy volunteers. The
data indicate considerable differences among the
different types of dietary flavonoids so that the
most abundant flavonoids in the diet do not
necessarily produce the highest concentration of
flavonoids or their metabolites in vivo. Small
intestinal absorption ranges from 0 to 60% of the
dose and elimination half-life (T1/2) range from 2
to 28 h49.
Quercetin is generally believed to be poorly
absorbed. About 25 % of an injected dose of
quercetin is absorbed from small intestine.
Although a recent study by Hollman et al
concludes that humans absorb appreciable
amount of quercetin, contradicts the
assumption50. However, it is found in human
plasma as conjugates with glucuronic acid,
sulfate or methyl groups, with no significant
amounts of free quercetin. Quercetin was found
to reach 0.1-10 µmol/lit (micromole per liter) in
the circulation. The concentration of quercetin
was mainly due to the presence of quercetin
metabolites rather than its aglycon as recently
revised by Murota and Terao51. Regarding the
pharmacokinetics of quercetin glucosides
conjugates; it seems that the main determinant of
absorption of these conjugates is the nature of
the sugar moiety. For example quercetin
glucoside is absorbed from small intestine,
whereas quercetin rutinosides is absorbed from
the colon after the removal of carbohydrate
moiety by bacterial enzymes. In addition to the
chemical form of the flavonol, the fat content of
the diet also influences oral bioavailability of
quercetin. Lesser et al investigated the influence
of dietary fat on oral bioavailability of quercetin.
According to the them, Quercetin bioavailability
from each diet was always higher from the
glucoside than from the aglycon but irrespective
of the chemical form applied, the bioavailability
of quercetin was also found to be higher in the
17% fat diet compared with the 3% fat diet (P <
0.05)52.
Studies have shown that Bromelain, an enzyme
derived from pineapple, enhances the absorption
of quercetin. Bromelain is a complex substance
largely composed of proteolytic enzymes.
Several studies have presented the evidence that
bromelain is a fibrinolytic agent53, 54. Bromelain
is also known to have many of the same
histamine and Leukotriene-inhibitory properties
as quercetin. In this way they enhance each other
properties.
After getting absorbed in small intestine,
quercetin is transported to the liver via portal
circulation, where it undergoes first pass
metabolism. Quercetin and its metabolites are
distributed to various tissues in the body.
Quercetin is strongly bound to the albumin in
plasma. Peak plasma level reaches in 0.7 h to 7.0
hours following its ingestion. The elimination
half life of quercetin is approximately 25 hours55.
The elimination of quercetin was significantly
delayed after its application with fat-enriched
diets (P < 0.05)52.
ADVERSE DRUG REACTION:
Adverse effects reported with oral quercetin
include gastrointestinal effects such as nausea
and rare reports of headache and mild tingling of
the extremities. Oral quercetin is generally well
tolerated. Intravenous quercetin has been
associated with nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis,
flushing, and dyspnoea.
Safety Profile:
There is much controversy regarding the
purported toxic or even mutagenic properties of
quercetin. Formica and Regelson gave an
interesting overview of quercetin in vivo and in
vitro56. The early data on toxic side effects are
mainly derived from in vitro studies. At a
conference of the Federation of American
societies for experimental biology in 1984 on
mutagenic food flavonoids, carcinogenicity was
reported in just one out of 17 feeding studies
conducted in laboratory animals57, 58. Dunnick
and Hailey reported that high doses of quercetin
over several years might result in the formation
of tumors in mice59. However, back in the 1970s,
quercetin was found to have mutagenic activity
as determined by the in vitro Ames test, which
was developed by researcher Bruce Ames to test
if a natural or synthetic substance will cause
DNA mutations in bacteria60. However in other
long term study, no carcinogenicity was found61.
In contrast to earlier studies several more recent
reports indicate that quercetin is antimutagenic in
vivo56, 62, 63. A large clinical study by Knekt et
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al, in which 9959 men and women were
followed for 24 years, showed an inverse
relationship between the intake of quercetin and
lung cancer64. One possible explanation for these
conflicting data is that quercetin is toxic to
cancer cells or immortalized cells but not toxic to
normal cells. In other studies quercetin was also
recognized as genoprotective against mutagenic
agents65, 66. Review of the total body of available
data on quercetin as presented in several
published reviews indicates that quercetin,
although displaying mutagenic activity in vitro is
not carcinogenic in the body. In a number of
studies such as Formica and Regelson56,
Stavric58, Stoewsand67, and recently
Okamoto68, a review of quercetin safety based
on past animal toxicity studies, concluded that
orally administered quercetin is unlikely to cause
any adverse effects although specific dose levels
were not indicated.
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND
PRECAUTIONS:
Contraindication of Quercetin is not known.
Quercetin has been shown to cause chromosomal
mutations in certain bacteria in test tube studies.
However the significance of this finding for
humans is not clear Because of lack of the
availability of long term safety data, quercetin
should be avoided by pregnant women and
nursing mothers.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Quercetin shows interaction with following
drugs:
Felodipine:
Quercetin (found in grapefruit juice, tea, onions,
and other foods) has been shown in test tube
studies to inhibit enzymes responsible for
breaking down of Felodipine into inactive forms.
This interaction may result in increased blood
levels of felodipine that could lead to unwanted
side effects69. Until more is known about this
interaction, patients taking felodipine should
avoid supplementing with quercetin. Regular
consumption of grapefruit juice can increase the
quantity of felodipine in the blood by reducing
the breakdown of the drug. The inhibitory effect
of grapefruit juice lasts up to 24 hours after
ingestion and can increase the blood levels
nearly three times the expected amount. In order
to prevent the side effects, individuals taking
felodipine should avoid consuming grapefruits
and its juice70.
Estrogens:
Studies have shown that grapefruit juice
significantly increases estradiol levels in the
blood71,72. One of the flavonoids found in
grapefruit juice is Quercetin. In a test tube study,
quercetin was found to change estrogen
metabolism in human liver cells in a way that it
increases estradiol level and reduces other forms
of estrogens72. However the levels of quercetin
used to alter estrogen metabolism in the test tube
were much higher than the levels found in the
body after supplementing with quercetin.
In a small controlled study of women with
surgically removed ovaries, estradiol levels in
the blood were significantly higher after taking
estradiol with grapefruit juice than when
estradiol was taken alone71. These results have
independently confirmed that women taking oral
estradiol should probably avoid grapefruits
altogether72.
Cyclosporine:
In a randomized study of nine adults with
cyclosporine treated auto-immune diseases,
grapefruit juice causes a significant increase in
cyclosporine blood levels compared with
cyclosporine with water74. In another study by
healthy human volunteers, supplementing
quercetin along with cyclosporine significantly
increased blood level of cyclosporine compared
to when not taken quercetin75.
Quinolones:
Quercetin binds in vitro with DNA gyrase site in
bacteria. Therefore theoretically it can serve as
competitive inhibitor to the Quinolones, which
also bind to the same site76.
Cisplatin:
Because of the theoretical risk of genotoxicity in
normal tissues, in those using cisplatin along
with quercetin, cisplatin users should avoid
quercetin supplements.
Doxorubicin:
Test tube and animal studies suggest that
quercetin may enhance the effect of doxorubicin.
Digoxin:
Treatment with both Digoxin and Quercetin may
result in large amounts of digoxin in blood,
which may cause more side effects of digoxin
than usual. This interaction has been reported in
animals, but how it affects people, is unclear80.
DIETARY SOURCES:
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29
Fruits and vegetables particularly citrus fruits,
apples, onions, parsley, tea, red wine, etc. are the
primary dietary sources of Quercetin. Olive oil,
grapes, dark cherries, and dark berries such as
blueberries and bilberries are also high in
flavonoids including quercetin.
Studies were conducted on the Flavonoids
(Myricetin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Luteolin and
Apegenin) contents of 62 edible tropical plants.
The highest total flavonoids contents were found
in onion leaves (1497 mg/Kg Quercetin, 391
mg/kg Luteolin and 832 mg/kg Kaempferol)
followed by semambu leaves, bird chillies, black
tea, papaya shoots and guava. Major flavonoids
content in these plant extract is quercetin,
followed by myricetin, and kaempferol. In
vegetables quercetin glycosides predominate but
glycosides of kaempferol, luteolin and apigenin
are also present. Fruits contain almost
exclusively quercetin glycosides, whereas
kaempferol and myricetin glycosides are found
only in trace quantities78. Table-2 shows
contents of Quercetin, Myricetin and Kaempferol
in selected food79.
Table 2: Amount of Quercetin in selected food79
FOOD Quercetin
mg/100g Myricetin
mg/100g Kaempferol
mg/100g
Broccoli, Raw 2.8 0.0 6.3
Carrots, Raw 0.4 0.0 0.0
Celery, Raw 3.5 ---- ----
Cocoa powder, Unsweetened 20.1 ---- ----
Cranberries, Raw 14.0 4.3 0.1
Kale, Raw 5.1 0.0 14.6
Lettuce, Looseleaf, Raw 2.0 0.0 0.0
Lingonberries, Raw 11.3 0.0 0.0
Onions, Raw 22.6 0.0 0.3
Tomatoes, Red ripe, Raw 0.5 0.0 0.1
In another study, content of quercetin was
estimated in 25 edible berries. Sixteen species of
cultivated berries and nine species of wild berries
were collected in Finland in 1997. Quercetin was
found in all the berries such as bog whortleberry
(158 mg/kg fresh weight), lingon berry (74 and
146 mg/kg), cranberry (83 and 121 mg/kg),
chokeberry (89 mg/kg), sweet rowan (85 mg/kg),
rowanberry (63 mg/kg), sea buckthorn berry (62
mg/kg) and crowberry (53 and 56 mg/kg)80.
Onions (Allium cepa L) ranked highest in
quercetin content in a survey of 28 vegetables
and 9 fruits81, 82. Quercetin levels tend to be
highest in red and yellow onions and lowest in
white onions83, 84. Amount of quercetin in onions
vary with bulb color type and variety. Regardless
of onion bulb pigmentation, quercetin
concentration is highest in the outer rings85, 86.
However in another study, more than 60 fresh
fruits, vegetables, and nuts were collected from
four regions across the United States at two
times of the year. Sample collection was
designed and implemented by the Nutrient Data
Laboratory (USDA), using a hydrolysis method
for the anthocyanidins, flavones, and flavonols
and a direct extraction method for the flavan-3-
ols and flavanones. This study showed that the
variation in the flavonoid content of foods, as
purchased by the U.S. consumer, is very large.
The relative standard deviation, averaged for
each flavonoid in each food, was 168%87.
THERAPEUTIC USES:
Quercetin offers a variety of potential therapeutic
uses primarily in the prevention and the
treatment of the conditions listed below.
Quercetin seems to work better when it is used in
conjunction with bromelain, a digestive enzyme
found in pineapple.
Allergies, asthma, hay fever and hives:
Quercetin might be useful in some of the
allergies such as hay fever, hives. It inhibits the
production and release of histamine and other
allergic/inflammatory substances possibly by
stabilizing cell membranes of mast cells86,88.
Mast cells have been proposed as an immune
gate to the brain, as well as sensors of
environmental and emotional stress, and are
likely involved in neuropathologic processes

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such as multiple sclerosis. Among mast cell
products, the protease tryptase could be
associated with neurodegenerative processes
through the activation of specific receptors
(PARs) expressed in the brain, while interleukin
(IL)-6 likely causes neurodegeneration and
exacerbates dysfunction induced by other
cytokines; or it could have a protective effect
against demyelinisation. In the year 2006 a study
conducted by Kempuraj et al showed that
quercetin, a natural compound able to act as an
inhibitor of mast cell secretion, causes a decrease
in the release of tryptase and IL-6 and the down-
regulation of histidine decarboxylase (HDC)
mRNA from human mast cell (HMC)-1. As
quercetin dramatically inhibits mast cell tryptase,
IL-6 release and HDC mRNA transcription by
HMC-1 cell line, these results nominate
quercetin as a therapeutical compound in
association with other therapeutical molecules
for neurological diseases mediated by mast cell
degranulation89.
Antibacterial activity:
Quercetin seems to exert antibacterial activity
against almost all the strains of bacteria known
to cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin and
urinary disorders90.
Arthritis:
Quercetin inhibits both cyclo-oxygenase and
lipo-oxygenase activities thus diminishing the
formation of inflammatory mediators91,92. In
addition there are reports of people with
rheumatoid arthritis, who experienced an
improvement in their symptoms, when they
switched from a typical western diet to a vegan
diet with lots of uncooked berries, fruits,
vegetables containing amongst other
antioxidants, quercetin93.
Cancers:
Although the etiology of cancer may be
multifactorial (e.g. diet, genetic, environment),
there is wide recognition that reactive oxygen
and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) play a pivotal
role in the pathophysiological process.
ROS/RON have been shown to be carcinogenic
and may exert their deleterious effects by
causing DNA damage, alter cell signaling
pathways (MAPK, NFkB, AP-1, PLA, ASK-1)
and modulate gene expression (proto-oncogene,
tumour suppressor gene). The evidence from in
vitro and in vivo laboratory studies, clinical trials
and epidemiological investigations show that
plant-based diets have protective effects against
various cancers. Indeed it has been suggested
that about 7-31% of all cancers could be reduced
by diets high in fruits and vegetables94.
In various animal and test tube studies, quercetin
has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer
cells including those from breast, colon, prostate
and lung cancers63. Quercetin by virtue of its
anti-oxidant property prevents reactive oxygen
species induced DNA damage, leading to
mutational changes. A large clinical study
suggested the presence of an inverse association
between quercetin intake and subsequent
incidence of lung cancers64. In the study done by
Caltagirone et al, quercetin showed the
inhibitory effect on the growth of melanoma and
also influenced the invasive and metastatic
potential in mice95. The bioflavonoid quercetin
may be a potent alternative to reduce cisplatin
induced nephrotoxicity96. Furthermore quercetin
seems to inhibit angiogenesis97. Angiogenesis is
normally a strictly controlled process in the
human body. Pathological, unregulated
angiogenesis occurs in cancers98. Among the
angiogenesis inhibitors quercetin seems to play
an important role99. However the mechanism
behind the anti-angiogenic effect of flavonoids is
unclear. A possible mechanism could be the
inhibition of protein kinase100. As many of the
PTKs are oncogenes, this raised the possibility of
quercetin being an effective anti-cancer
compound. Quercetin was effective in inhibiting
radiation-induced PKC activity. Activation of
PKC is one of the means of conferring
radioresistance on a tumour cell. Suppression of
PKC activity by Quercetin may be one of the
means of preventing the development of
radioresistance following radiotherapy101.
Coronary Heart Diseases:
Anti-oxidant quercetin intake protects against
coronary heart disease (CHD), caused by
oxidized LDL (bad cholesterol). Hertog et al
stated that regular consumption of flavonoids in
the food might reduce the risk of deaths from
CHD in elderly men102,103. Furthermore a
Japanese study reported an inverse correlation
between quercetin intake and total plasma
cholesterol concentration104. Quercetin was also
shown to be effective inhibitor of platelets
aggregation in dogs and monkeys105. The main
antiplatelet aggregating effect is because of the
inhibition of thromboxane A2106. Quercetin
inhibits the proliferation and migration of aortic
smooth muscle cells, and platelet aggregation
along with the inhibition of mitogen–activated
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protein kinase phosphorylation. These findings
provide new insights and a rationale for the
potential use of quercetin in the prevention of
cardiovascular diseases107.
Diabetic complications:
Quercetin has been found to be an inhibitor of
the enzyme aldose reductase, which plays a role
in converting glucose (sugar) to sorbitol (a sugar
alcohol) in the body. People with diabetes
develop secondary problems, such as
neuropathy, retinopathy, diabetic cataracts, and
nephropathy because of sorbitol buildup in the
body. Quercetin may therefore be beneficial in
the nutritional management of diabetes, but
clinical studies need to be conducted to verify
these effects, which have been observed in non-
human experiments108.
Eye disorders:
Free radicals are thought to contribute the
development of certain disorders including
cataracts and macular degeneration. Quercetin
prevents and treats these eye conditions by
neutralizing these free radicals. In a study of
3,072 adults with the symptoms of macular
degeneration, moderate red wine consumption (a
source of quercetin) offered some protection
against the development and the progression of
the disease109. Regular consumption of dark
berries offers benefits for preventing macular
degeneration110.
Gout:
Quercetin by virtue of its xanthine oxidase
inhibitory nature prevents the production of uric
acid, thereby easing the gout symptoms24, 25.
Neurodegenerative disorders:
According to a study conducted by researchers at
Cornell University in New York, a potent
antioxidant (quercetin) in apples and in
vegetables appear to protect brain cells against
oxidative stress, a tissue damaging process
associated with Alzheimer and other
neurodegenerative disorders111. Quercetin seems
to protect the brain functions by inhibiting the
formation if fibrillated amyloid–beta, the senile
plaque found in Alzheimer’s brain106. An
experiment was performed to demonstrate the
possible effects of quercetin on cognitive
performance of young and aged, ethanol
intoxicated mice (animal model), where chronic
quercetin treatment had shown the reversal of
cognitive deficits112. Even though quercetin is
relatively stable during cooking, fresh apples are
always better sources of quercetin than cooked or
processed apples because the compound is
mainly concentrated in the skin of apples. In
general red apples tend have more of antioxidant
than green or yellow ones. Quercetin, through its
COMT and MAO enzymes inhibiting properties,
might potentiate the anticatabolic effect of L-
dopa plus carbidopa treatment. The results of the
present study strongly suggest that quercetin
could serve as an effective adjunct to L-dopa
therapy in Parkinson disease113. Quercetin has
potential for the treatment of neuroleptic-induced
extrapyramidal side effects, such as from
haloperidol114. Quercetin also is a powerful
antioxidant that may protect brain cells from
damage.
Osteoporosis:
In an English study, bone mineral density was
compared between elder women, who consumed
tea and those who did not. Women in the study,
who drank tea (quercetin), had higher bone
mineral density measurements than those who
did not drink tea. Quercetin in the tea might be
responsible for the prevention of osteoporosis115.
Peptic Ulcer:
Quercetin seems to play a very important role in
the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer. It
acts by promoting mucus secretion, thereby
serves as gastroprotective agent. Apparently,
many peptic ulcers can be caused by infectious
bacteria, known as Helicobacter pylori.
Quercetin has been shown to inhibit the growth
of this bacterium in in-vitro studies116,117.
Prostatitis:
In a prospective double-blind placebo controlled
study, quercetin was found to be helpful in
category III chronic prostatitis (non bacterial
chronic prostatitis and prostodynia). Thirty men
with this disorder received either placebo or 500
mg of quercetin twice daily for one month.
Significant improvement was achieved in treated
group, as measured by the National Institute of
Health Chronic Prostatitis score118. In a follow
up unblind open study, additional men received
the same amount of quercetin for one month, but
this time quercetin was combined with bromelain
and papain, which may enhance its absorption. In
this study 82% achieved a minimum 25%
improvement score.
Viral infections:
The antiviral effect of Flavonoid was shown in a
study conducted by Wang et al119. Some of the
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viruses reported to be affected by Flavonoids are
herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncitial virus
and adenovirus. Quercetin was reported to
exhibit both anti-infective and antireplicative
abilities. By far most of the studies were
performed in vitro and little is known about the
antiviral effect of flavonoids in vivo. There is
some evidence that flavonoids in their glycon
form seem to be more inhibitory effect on
rotavirus infectivity than flavonoids in their
aglycon form120. Because of the worldwide
spread of HIV, since 1980s, the investigations of
the antiviral activity of flavonoids have mainly
focused on HIV. The discovery and the
development of flavonoids as anti-HIV agents
have expanded in the past two decades. Most of
the studies focused on the inhibitory activity of
reverse transcriptase or RNA directed DNA
polymerase but antiintegrase and antiprotease
activities were also reported. Flavonoids have
mainly been studied in vitro experiments;
therefore no clear contribution of flavonoids to
the treatment of HIV infected patients has yet
been shown121, 122.
PREPARATION AND DOSAGES:
The average diet can supply 15 to 40mg of
quercetin per day from fruit and vegetable
consumption. Increasing quercetin intake for
general health reasons can be accomplished by
simply eating more vegetables and fruit.
However, as most people are confronted with the
reality of not being able to maintain an adequate
intake of bioflavonoid from food sources, extra
quercetin can be obtained from dietary
supplements. For therapeutic purposes such as
allergy management, anti-inflammatory
treatment, and disease treatment, higher dosages
of quercetin are usually prescribed. Therapeutic
dosages can range from 250 to 500mg three
times per day. Quercetin is available in the form
of capsules (250 mg, 300 mg, and 500mg) and
tablets (50 mg, 250 mg, and 500mg).
Recommended adult dosages of quercetin vary
depending on the health condition being treated.
For allergic conditions, 250-600 mg per day in
divided doses and for chronic hives, 200-400 mg
thrice daily quercetin is recommended123.
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS:
Various cohort studies indicated an inverse
association between Flavonoids intake
(Quercetin) and coronary heart disease mortality.
These studies are promising and indicate that
flavonoids may be useful food compounds.
Flavonoids have received much attention in the
literature over the past 10 years and a variety of
potential beneficial effects have been elucidated.
However, most of the studies have been
conducted in vitro studies; therefore, it is difficult
to draw definite conclusion about the usefulness
of flavonoids in the diet. Furthermore,
insufficient methods are available to measure
oxidative damage in vivo and the measurement
of objective endpoints remains difficult.
Although recently some studies124,125,126 have
been conducted on absorption and excretion of
flavonols including quercetin but there is a need
to improve analytic techniques to allow
collection of more data in this aspect. Data on
the long-term consequences of chronic quercetin
ingestion are especially scarce. To conclude, in-
vivo studies could be performed to give a hopeful
picture for the future. Currently, the intake of
fruit, vegetables, and beverages (e.g., tea and
moderate amounts of red wine) containing
quercetin is recommended, although it is too
early to make recommendations on daily
quercetin intakes.
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