What are the effects of quercetin? (2)

According to a study published in 2016, quercetin can also cause tumour regression by interacting with DNA to activate mitochondrial channels of apoptosis (programmed cell death of damaged cells).

Quercetin was found to induce cytotoxicity in leukaemia cells and the effect was dose dependent. A limited cytotoxic effect was also found in breast cancer cells. Overall, quercetin increased the life expectancy of cancer mice by 5 times compared to untreated controls.

The authors attribute these effects to the direct interaction of quercetin with DNA and its activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis by quercetin, and suggest that the potential use of quercetin as an adjuvant in cancer therapy merits further exploration.

Recent studies published in the journal Molecules have similarly highlighted the epigenetic effects of quercetin and the ability of

Interact with cellular signalling channels

Regulate gene expression

Influence the activity of transcription factors

Regulation of microRNA

Once thought of as 'junk' DNA, research has revealed that 'junk' DNA is not useless, but is actually a small molecule of RNA that is essential for regulating the genes that make proteins in the body.

Tiny ribonucleic acids act as "switches" for these genes. Depending on the input of microRNAs, a gene can encode any one of over 200 protein products. Quercetin's ability to modulate microRNAs may also explain its cytotoxic effects and why it appears to improve cancer survival (at least in mice).

Quercetin is a powerful antiviral component

As mentioned above, the research surrounding quercetin has focused on its antiviral ability, which has been attributed to three main mechanisms of action.

Inhibition of the ability of the virus to infect cells

Inhibition of the replication of infected cells

Reducing the resistance of infected cells to antiviral drug treatment

Quercetin fights inflammation and enhances immune function

In addition to antiviral activity, quercetin also enhances immunity and fights inflammation, and a 2016 study published in the journal Nutrients suggests that the mechanisms of action include, but are not limited to, the inhibition of.

- macrophage-induced production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a cytokine involved in systemic inflammatory responses and secreted by activated macrophages, immune cells that can engulf foreign substances, microbes and other harmful or damaged components

- Lipopolysaccharide-induced mRNA levels of TNF-α and interleukin (Il)-1α in glial cells, which leads to "reduced apoptosis of neuronal cells

- Inhibits the production of enzymes that induce inflammation

- Blocking calcium influx into cells, thereby inhibiting.

- Release of pro-inflammatory cytokines

- release of histamine and serotonin from intestinal mast cells

Quercetin may be a useful supplement for many people

Given the wide range of benefits that quercetin has, it may be a useful supplement for many people, for both acute and more long-term problems. It is also a supplement that I recommend you keep in your medicine cabinet for those times when you feel you are about to be 'overwhelmed' by a health problem, whether it is a common cold or flu.

If you are prone to colds and flu, consider taking quercetin a few months in advance of cold and flu season to boost your immune system. It also seems to be very useful in the long run for people with metabolic syndrome, but it would be foolish to rely solely on a supplement and fail to address basic issues such as diet and exercise at the same time.