Quercetin: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:09, 23 March 2025

Quercetin[edit]

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, and grains. It is one of the most abundant dietary flavonoids and is known for its potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Chemical Structure and Properties[edit]

Quercetin is a polyphenol with the chemical formula C₁₅H₁₀O₇. It is a yellow crystalline powder that is poorly soluble in water but soluble in alcohol and lipids. The structure of quercetin includes a 3-ring system with hydroxyl groups that contribute to its antioxidant activity.

Sources of Quercetin[edit]

Quercetin is found in a variety of plant-based foods. High concentrations are present in capers, onions, kale, apples, berries, broccoli, and tea. It is also available as a dietary supplement.

Biological Functions[edit]

Quercetin is known for its role in scavenging free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress in the body. It also modulates the activity of various enzymes and cell receptors, contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects. Quercetin has been studied for its potential to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells and to improve cardiovascular health by enhancing endothelial function.

Glycosides of Quercetin[edit]

Quercetin often occurs in nature as glycosides, which are compounds where quercetin is bound to a sugar molecule. These glycosides can affect the bioavailability and absorption of quercetin in the human body.

UV-Vis Spectrum[edit]

The UV-Vis spectrum of quercetin is characterized by specific absorption peaks that are indicative of its conjugated double-bond system. This property is used in analytical chemistry to identify and quantify quercetin in various samples.

Potential Health Benefits[edit]

Quercetin has been associated with a variety of health benefits, including:

Antioxidant Effects: Quercetin neutralizes free radicals, reducing oxidative damage to cells and tissues.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: It inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
Cardiovascular Health: Quercetin may improve blood vessel function and reduce blood pressure.
Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest quercetin may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Quercetin''' is a plant-derived [[polyphenol|polyphenolic]] [[flavonoid]] with potential [[chemopreventive]] activity. It is abundant in various plant food sources and is a significant [[bioflavonoid]] in the [[human diet]]. Quercetin exerts various biological effects, including antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy actions.
+== Quercetin ==
+[[File:Quercetin.svg|Quercetin chemical structure|thumb|left]]
+'''Quercetin''' is a plant [[flavonoid]] found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, and grains. It is one of the most abundant dietary flavonoids and is known for its potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.
+== Chemical Structure and Properties ==
+Quercetin is a [[polyphenol]] with the chemical formula C<sub>15</sub>H<sub>10</sub>O<sub>7</sub>. It is a yellow crystalline powder that is poorly soluble in water but soluble in alcohol and lipids. The structure of quercetin includes a 3-ring system with hydroxyl groups that contribute to its antioxidant activity.
+[[File:Quercetin-3D-balls.png|Quercetin 3D Model|thumb|right]]
-== Mechanism of Action ==
+== Sources of Quercetin ==
-While the precise mechanism of action is not fully understood, quercetin has been observed to exert several effects in vitro:
-* '''Antiproliferative effects''': These may result from the modulation of [[EGFR]] or estrogen-receptor mediated signal transduction pathways. Quercetin has been observed to decrease the expression of mutant [[p53 protein]] and the [[p21-ras oncogene]], which are implicated in cell cycle regulation and tumor progression, respectively.
-* '''Cell cycle arrest''': Quercetin may induce cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, impeding the progression of the cell cycle and potentially inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
-* '''Inhibition of heat shock protein synthesis''': Heat shock proteins play a role in protecting cells from stress. Their inhibition by quercetin may make cells more susceptible to the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs.
-* '''Synergy with chemotherapeutic drugs''': Quercetin may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs and reverse the [[multidrug resistance]] phenotype in vitro.
-== Anti-inflammatory and Anti-allergy Effects ==
+Quercetin is found in a variety of plant-based foods. High concentrations are present in [[capers]], [[onions]], [[kale]], [[apples]], [[berries]], [[broccoli]], and [[tea]]. It is also available as a dietary supplement.
-Quercetin's anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy effects are thought to be mediated through the inhibition of the [[lipoxygenase]] and [[cyclooxygenase]] pathways. These enzymes play key roles in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. By inhibiting these pathways, quercetin can potentially reduce inflammation and allergic reactions.
-== Food Sources ==
+== Biological Functions ==
-Quercetin is found in various plant-based foods, including apples, onions, berries, red wine, and green tea. Dietary supplements of quercetin are also available.
-== Further Research ==
+Quercetin is known for its role in scavenging free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress in the body. It also modulates the activity of various enzymes and cell receptors, contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects. Quercetin has been studied for its potential to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells and to improve cardiovascular health by enhancing endothelial function.
-While quercetin's potential health benefits are promising, more research is needed to establish its effectiveness and safety in humans, particularly in relation to its potential chemopreventive properties.
+== Glycosides of Quercetin ==
+Quercetin often occurs in nature as glycosides, which are compounds where quercetin is bound to a sugar molecule. These glycosides can affect the bioavailability and absorption of quercetin in the human body.
+[[File:3-O-Glycosides_of_quercetin-en.svg|3-O-Glycosides of Quercetin|thumb|left]]
+== UV-Vis Spectrum ==
+The UV-Vis spectrum of quercetin is characterized by specific absorption peaks that are indicative of its conjugated double-bond system. This property is used in analytical chemistry to identify and quantify quercetin in various samples.
+[[File:Spectre_UV_vis_Quercétine.PNG|UV-Vis Spectrum of Quercetin|thumb|right]]
+== Potential Health Benefits ==
+Quercetin has been associated with a variety of health benefits, including:
+* '''Antioxidant Effects''': Quercetin neutralizes free radicals, reducing oxidative damage to cells and tissues.
+* '''Anti-inflammatory Effects''': It inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
+* '''Cardiovascular Health''': Quercetin may improve blood vessel function and reduce blood pressure.
+* '''Cancer Prevention''': Some studies suggest quercetin may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
+== Related Pages ==
-== See Also ==
 * [[Flavonoid]]
-* [[Chemoprevention]]
+* [[Antioxidant]]
-* [[Bioflavonoid]]
+* [[Polyphenol]]
-{{stub}}
+* [[Dietary supplement]]
 [[Category:Flavonoids]]
+[[Category:Antioxidants]]
 [[Category:Polyphenols]]
-[[Category:Chemoprevention]]
-[[Category:Nutrition]]
-[[Category:Biochemistry]]
-== Quercetin ==
-<gallery>
-File:Spectre UV vis Quercétine.PNG|Spectre UV-vis Quercétine
-File:3-O-Glycosides of quercetin-en.svg|3-O-Glycosides of quercetin
-</gallery>
-== Quercetin ==
-<gallery>
-File:Quercetin.svg|Quercetin
-File:Quercetin-3D-balls.png|Quercetin 3D Model
-File:Spectre UV vis Quercétine.PNG|UV-Vis Spectrum of Quercetin
-File:3-O-Glycosides of quercetin-en.svg|3-O-Glycosides of Quercetin
-</gallery>