Description
Quercetin is a phytoestrogen and flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, and grains; it exhibits antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, and neuromodulatory activities. Quercetin inhibits reverse transcriptase activity and suppresses replication of hepatitis C virus. In vivo, quercetin increases energy expenditure and decreases release of inflammatory cytokines. Clinically, this compound decreases blood pressure. In animal models of OVA-induced allergy, quercetin decreases levels of IL-4 and Th4 cytokines and increases levels of IFN-γ and Th1 cytokines. Quercetin also inhibits calcineurin and monoamine oxidase (MAO).
References
Pisonero-Vaquero S, García-Mediavilla MV, Jorquera F, et al. Modulation of PI3K-LXRα-dependent lipogenesis mediated by oxidative/nitrosative stress contributes to inhibition of HCV replication by quercetin. Lab Invest. 2014 Mar;94(3):262-74. PMID: 24492281.
Park HJ, Lee CM, Jung ID, et al. Quercetin regulates Th1/Th4 balance in a murine model of asthma. Int Immunopharmacol. 2009 Mar;9(3):261-7. PMID: 19061976.
Saaby L, Rasmussen HB, Jäger AK. MAO-A inhibitory activity of quercetin from Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jan 12;121(1):178-81. PMID: 19013512.
Stewart LK, Soileau JL, Ribnicky D, et al. Quercetin transiently increases energy expenditure but persistently decreases circulating markers of inflammation in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. Metabolism. 2008 Jul;57(7 Suppl 1):S39-46. PMID: 18555853.
Edwards RL, Lyon T, Litwin SE, et al. Quercetin reduces blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11):2405-11. PMID: 17951477.
Spedding G, Ratty A, Middleton E Jr. Inhibition of reverse transcriptases by flavonoids. Antiviral Res. 1989 Sep;12(2):99-110. PMID: 2480745.
