Quercilip

Quercetin is found in foods but is found exclusively in plant-based foods. The richest food sources are: capers, tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, onions, apples, grapes, coffee. The typical characteristic of Quercetin is the presence, in its chemical structure, of different phenolic groups that allow the compound to function as a powerful antioxidant through different mechanisms of action: it neutralizes free radicals and increases the production of antioxidant enzymes by the body.

Many in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that Quercetin also has powerful anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant properties: it inhibits the resulting inflammatory cascade, inhibits the production of enzymes that produce inflammation: cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX), inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibits the production of inflammation mediators. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Quercetin exerts several biological effects: it prevents myocardial cell damage and protects the heart from cardiac dysfunction, prevents neurodegenerative diseases but also anxiety and depression, reduces the toxicity of some pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents (for example Cyclophosphamide, Cisplatin, Ciprofloxacin, Manganese, Cadmium, Arsenic), improves idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and acute lung damage, prevents type II diabetes, improves osteoarthritis.

Studies have also demonstrated anti-cancer effects of Quercetin which are based on its ability to reduce cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Quercetin is able to enhance the effect of anti-cancer therapies, both chemo and radiotherapy, making tumor cells more sensitive and protecting healthy cells. This effect has been observed especially in case of therapy with Irinotecan, Fludarabine, Platinum, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Docetaxel. The main forms of cancer on which antitumor effects of Quercetin have been observed are: ovarian cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, osteosarcoma, melanoma, lung cancer and colorectal cancer.
Used, generally at low concentrations, it works as an antioxidant protecting cells from damage by radicals (cancer-protective effect), while at high concentrations it works as a pro-oxidant with consequent cytotoxicity at the level of tumor cells.

Quercetin is poorly bioavailable due to reduced absorption at intestinal level (varies from 17 to 50%), and rapid metabolism and excretion. All this leads to a short half-life of Quercetin metabolites in the blood. The effectiveness of Quercetin can be improved by transporting it in liposomes that facilitate its absorption.