Quercetin Research Articles

A multifunctional injectable hydrogel for boosted diabetic wound healing assisted by Quercetin-ZIF system

An important challenge in the chronic wound healing of diabetes is delayed healing stages with impaired cellular functions, attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Here, we describe a quercetin (QCT)-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) incorporated into a polyphenol-mediated carboxymethyl chitosan/tannic acid (CT) dynamic hydrogel to promote diabetic wound healing by regulating subcellular and cellular functions. ZIF-8 endows the hydrogel with excellent antibacterial properties. By alleviating mitochondrial function and ER stress, the hydrogel fundamentally improves the cellular function damage induced by hyperglycemia and is endowed with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging and anti-apoptosis activities to promote cell proliferation, extension and keratinocyte differentiation. Moreover, sustained release of QCT and Zn2+ from the QCT@ZIF-8 system not only promotes vascular endothelial cell migration but also alleviates tubular dysfunction, thus achieving excellent angiogenesis. Accordingly, these features create a favorable environment for skin regeneration and synergistically accelerate diabetic wound healing. Therefore, our findings reveal a potential multi-effect therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound healing. Potential design principles targeting subcellular and cell function open up new avenues for other metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

A Physiological and Molecular Docking Insight on Quercetin Mediated Salinity Stress Tolerance in Chinese Flowering Cabbage and Increase in Glucosinolate Contents.

The present study was performed to investigate the negative impact of salinity on the growth of Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis var. parachinensis) and the ameliorative effects of quercetin dihydrate on the plant along with the elucidation of underlying mechanisms. The tolerable NaCl stress level was initially screened for the Chinese flowering cabbage plants during a preliminary pot trial by exposing the plants to salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 mM) and 250 mM was adopted for further experimentation based on the findings. The greenhouse experiment was performed by adopting a completely randomized design using three different doses of quercetin dihydrate (50, 100, 150 µM) applied as a foliar treatment. The findings showed that the exposure salinity significantly reduced shoot length (46.5%), root length (21.2%), and dry biomass (32.1%) of Chinese flowering cabbage plants. Whereas, quercetin dihydrate applied at concentrations of 100, and 150 µM significantly diminished the effect of salinity stress by increasing shoot length (36.8- and 71.3%), root length (36.57- and 56.19%), dry biomass production (51.4- and 78.6%), Chl a (69.8- and 95.7%), Chl b (35.2- and 87.2%), and carotenoid contents (21.4- and 40.3%), respectively, compared to the plants cultivated in salinized conditions. The data of physiological parameters showed a significant effect of quercetin dihydrate on the activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymes. Interestingly, quercetin dihydrate increased the production of medicinally important glucosinolate compounds in Chinese flowering cabbage plants. Molecular docking analysis showed a strong affinity of quercetin dihydrate with three different stress-related proteins of B. rapa plants. Based on the findings, it could be concluded that quercetin dihydrate can increase the growth of Chinese flowering cabbage under both salinity and normal conditions, along with an increase in the medicinal quality of the plants. Further investigations are recommended as future perspectives using other abiotic stresses to declare quercetin dihydrate as an effective remedy to rescue plant growth under prevailing stress conditions.

Effect of co-administration of gallic acid and quercetin or gallic acid and rutin on impaired spermatogenesis and oxidative damage in a busulfan-treated rat model

Gallic acid (GAL), rutin (RUT), and quercetin (QUE) are common antioxidant agents in fruits and vegetables with intriguing pharmacological effects. In the present study, we compared the therapeutic outcomes of GAL + QUE in comparison with GAL + RUT co-treatment in a busulfan (BUS) model of testicular injury in Wistar rats. BUS (4 mg kg−1 body weight (b.w) was injected intraperitoneally daily for 4 days. GAL + RUT or GAL + QUE (20 mg kg−1 b. w) was delivered by oral gavage for 52 days. Examination of the testes of BUS-treated rats both biochemically and under light microscopy revealed an increased level of lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, glutathione-S-transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase with a concomitant decrease in the level of antioxidants: glutathione, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, suggesting testicular injury. Tissue sections confirmed the testicular injury-induced by BUS, including diminished spermatogenesis score index, tubular diameter, gonado-somatic index, testis weight, epithelia thickness and higher percentage of aberrant tubules. GAL + QUE co-administration had better recovery effects than GAL + RUT on the biochemical markers and protected against BUS-induced testicular damage. GAL + QUE treatment regimen has better capacity to maintain the antioxidant capacity of the testes and is more potent at reducing BUS-induced oxidative damage compared to GAL + RUT.

Isoquercitrin alleviates OGD/R-induced oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial biogenesis in SH-SY5Y cells via the NRF1/TFAM pathway.

Isoquercitrin (ISO) is a traditional Chinese medicine extract, that has been found to possess potent neuroprotective properties. However, its precise role in the context of ischemic stroke (IS) remains to be fully elucidated. We constructed an in vitro model of IS induced by OGD/R in SH-SY5Y cells. Cell viability, the levels of oxidative stress-related indicators (8-OHDG, MDA, SOD, GSH, and GSH-Px), ROS, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by using detection kits. The protein levels of GPX1, SOD, Cytc were measured. The mRNA levels of mitochondrial biogenesis-related indicators (Cytb, CO1, ND2, ND5, and ND6), and mtDNA copy number were measured by RT-qPCR. ATP levels were measured. Molecular docking between ISO and NRF1, and Co-IP assay for NRF1 and TFAM interaction were performed. Expression of NRF1 and TFAM was evaluated. ISO treatment reversed the detrimental effects of OGD/R on cell viability, attenuated the elevation of oxidative stress markers, restored antioxidant levels, and alleviated the impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis in SH-SY5Y cells. ISO interacted with NRF1 and increased its expression along with TFAM. Silencing NRF1 reversed the protective effects of ISO, suggesting its involvement in mediating the neuroprotective effects of ISO. ISO alleviates oxidative stress and mitochondrial biogenesis damage induced by OGD/R in SH-SY5Y cells by upregulating the NRF1/TFAM pathway.

Ameliorating quercetin delivery in cancer therapy with polyvinyl alcohol /halloysite/starch nanocomposite

Challenges in cancer treatment can be overcome through the development of pH-responsive drug delivery systems utilizing nanocarriers. This study reports the fabrication of a novel water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double nanoemulsion encapsulating quercetin (QUE), a natural anti-cancer agent. The nanocomposite, composed of starch (S), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and halloysite nanotubes (HNT), offers unique advantages for targeted drug delivery. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups characteristic of each component (S, PVA, and HNT) within the nanocomposite, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided insights into its crystalline structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis revealed that the drug-loaded nanocomposites have a semi-spherical shape with an average size of 171.25 nm. By utilizing HNT for encapsulation, the study achieved encapsulation and drug loading efficiencies of 87 % and 46.25 %, respectively. Furthermore, the S/PVA component improved the pH-responsiveness of the nanocomposite, facilitating a sustained release of QUE as demonstrated by the in vitro release studies. Various kinetic models were applied to the experimental release data to elucidate the underlying drug release mechanisms. MTT assays and flow cytometry investigations demonstrated significant cytotoxicity of the final S/PVA/HNT/QUE nanocarrier against MCF-7 cancer cells, with evidence of increased apoptotic cell death. Based on these comprehensive findings, the S/PVA/HNT/QUE nanocarrier holds great promise as a pH-responsive drug delivery system for cancer treatment.

Sodium caseinate/pectin complex-stabilized emulsion: Multi-frequency ultrasound regulation, characterization and its application in quercetin delivery

This study used dual-frequency countercurrent probe ultrasound (DFU) to prepare sodium caseinate (Cas)-Pectin (Pec) complex-stabilized emulsion. Besides analyzing the physicochemical properties and structural characteristics, the current study assessed the impact of DFU on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), bioavailability, antioxidant activity, and stability of quercetin (QUE)-loaded emulsions. The results indicated that DFU (20/28 kHz) improved the emulsion resistance to environmental stress by increasing the interaction between the lipid-complex and decreasing the droplet size (from 12.60 to 3.09 μm), mainly manifesting the higher stability index (improved to 97%). Furthermore, DFU enhanced the interface Cas/Pec adsorption than high-speed shear homogenization (improved from 3.55 to 6.29 mg/m2 for Cas and from 3.28 to 5.83 mg/m2 for Pec) and exhibited better uniformity. The aforementioned enhancements exhibited a positive impact on emulsion loading QUE, improving its EE (from 69 to 83%) and increasing its bioavailability (from 12% to 48%). Furthermore, emulsion stability was improved through the reduction of free radical production and QUE degradation induced by environmental factors.

Exploration of phenolic profile from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) pericarp and their contribution to inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase

The aim of this study was to reveal the phenolic profile of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) pericarp and investigate their inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Mangosteen pericarp polyphenols (MPP) obtained by acetone extraction were fractionated with gradient ethanol elution. A total of twenty nine phenolic chemicals were found and quantified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. MPP eluted by the 60% ethanol solution (MPP60%) showed the highest total phenolic content. Moreover, MPP60% displayed the greatest inhibition activities on α-amylase and α-glycosidase by competitive and mixed inhibitions. Mechanistically, the inhibitory effects of MPP60% on α-amylase and α-glucosidase involved the changes of the secondary structure as well as the static fluorescence quenching of these enzymes. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that procyanidin B2, quercetin glucoside, and mangostain contributed most to inhibiting the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. This study indicated that polyphenols from mangosteen pericarps can be developed into potential inhibitors of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, offering a viable strategy for the valorization of mangosteen pericarps.

Polyphosphazene Microparticles with High Free Radical Scavenging Activity for Skin Photoprotection.

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are the core ingredients in sunscreens and protect against UV-induced skin damage. Nevertheless, their safety and effectiveness have been questioned in terms of their poor photostability, skin penetration, and UV-induced generation of deleterious reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, an organic UV filter self-framed microparticle sunblock was exploited, in which quercetin (QC) and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) were self-constructed into microparticles (HCCP-QC MPs) by facile precipitation polymerization without any carriers. HCCP-QC MPs could not only significantly extend the UV shielding range to the whole UV region but also remarkably reduce UV-induced ROS while avoiding direct skin contact and the resulting epidermal penetration of small-molecule QC. Meanwhile, HCCP-QC MPs possess a high QC-loading ability (697 mg g-1) by QC itself as the microparticles' building blocks. In addition, there is no leakage issue with small molecules due to its covalently cross-linked structure. In vitro and vivo experiments also demonstrated that the HCCP-QC MPs have excellent UV protection properties and effective ROS scavenging ability without toxicity. In summary, effective UV-shielding and ROS scavenging ability coupled with excellent biocompatibility and nonpenetration of small molecules make it a broad prospect in skin protection.

Surface modified niosomal quercetin with cationic lipid: an appropriate drug delivery system against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

The Increase in infections caused by resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a formidable challenge to global healthcare systems. P. aeruginosa is capable of causing severe human infections across diverse anatomical sites, presenting considerable therapeutic obstacles due to its heightened drug resistance. Niosomal drug delivery systems offer enhanced pharmaceutical potential for loaded contents due to their desirable properties, mainly providing a controlled-release profile. This study aimed to formulate an optimized niosomal drug delivery system incorporating stearylamine (SA) to augment the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities of quercetin (QCT) against both standard and clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. QCT-loaded niosome (QCT-niosome) and QCT-loaded SA- niosome (QCT-SA- niosome) were synthesized by the thin-film hydration technique, and their physicochemical characteristics were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), zeta potential measurement, entrapment efficacy (EE%), and in vitro release profile. The anti-P. aeruginosa activity of synthesized niosomes was assessed using minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs/MBCs) and compared with free QCT. Additionally, the minimum biofilm inhibitory and eradication concentrations (MBICs/MBECs) were carried out to analyze the ability of QCT-niosome and QCT-SA-niosome against P. aeruginosa biofilms. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity assay was conducted on the L929 mouse fibroblasts cell line to evaluate the biocompatibility of the formulated niosomes. FE-SEM analysis revealed that both synthesized niosomal formulations exhibited spherical morphology with different sizes (57.4 nm for QCT-niosome and 178.9 nm for QCT-SA-niosome). The EE% for cationic and standard niosomal formulations was reported at 75.9% and 59.6%, respectively. Both formulations showed an in vitro sustained-release profile, and QCT-SA-niosome exhibited greater stability during a 4-month storage time compared to QCT-niosome. Microbial experiments indicated that both prepared formulations had higher anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities than free QCT. Also, the QCT-SA-niosome exhibited greater reductions in MIC, MBC, MBIC, and MBEC values compared to the QCT-niosome at equivalent concentrations. This study supports the potential of QCT-niosome and QCT-SA-niosome as effective agents against P. aeruginosa infections, manifesting significant anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm efficacy alongside biocompatibility with L929 cell lines. Furthermore, our results suggest that optimized QCT-niosome with cationic lipids could efficiently target P. aeruginosa cells with negligible cytotoxic effect.

Influence of Boiling Time on Chemical Composition and Properties of Tender and Mature Moringa Pods.

Moringa oleifera is a plant native to India that is well adapted to warm climates with a high yield and low agronomic requirements. Pods are one of the edible parts of this plant and are commonly consumed in some places, (India, Morocco, etc.) when in an early vegetative state. However, both production and consumption of this plant are scarce and seasonal in Europe and treatments to extend its shelf life are required. Therefore, the aim of this study has been to evaluate the variation in the physicochemical properties of Moringa oleifera pods at two stages of maturity, tender and mature, in terms of mass variation, optical and mechanical properties, protein content, total antioxidant capacity and phenolic profile, after boiling them in tap water at 100 °C for different lengths of time (0, 2, 5, 8, 12, 16, and 20 min). The mass of the tender pods increased by 15% during cooking, while the mature pods gradually lost weight. The protein content was approximately 4% with no significant change brought about by cooking. Ferulic, trans-cinnamic, p-coumaric, and ellagic acids were found in the fresh pods. During cooking, these phenols disappeared, and others appeared, including epicatechin and quercetin 3-glucoside, especially in the tender pods. In conclusion, boiling could contribute to an improvement in the organoleptic properties of moringa pods and to an extension of their storage and to wider availability on the market.

Piezo1 inhibitor isoquercitrin rescues neural impairment mediated by NLRP3 after intracerebral hemorrhage

In intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the mechanical brain injury is a considerable and indispensable factor determining the neurological functions and poor outcomes. Previous studies indicate the mechanically gated ion channel-Piezo1 can transduce mechanical effects following ICH. Isoquercitrin (ISQ) is a well-studied ion channel inhibitor. Furthermore, whether the following Piezo1-mediated neurological impairment can be ameliorated by ISQ remains unclear. Herein, we constructed the hydrostatic pressure model and ICH rat model. Firstly, we found that Piezo1 agonists Yoda1 and Jedi1 facilitated extracellular calcium influx dramatically, but ISQ could depress intracellular Ca2+ overload under hydrostatic pressure in primary neurons. Then we detected the expression profile of Piezo1, NLRP3 and NF-κB p-p65 after ICH, and found that the expression of Piezo1 was much earlier than NLRP3 and NF-κB p-p65. Furthermore, by western blot and immunofluorescence, ISQ decreased the expression of Piezo1 and NLRP3 dramatically like GsMTx4, but Nigericin as a NLRP3 agonist failed to affect Piezo1. Besides, both ISQ and interfering Piezo1 suppressed the upregulated caspase-1, NF-κB p-p65, p-IκBα, Tunel-positive cells and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in ICH. At last, the hydrostatic pressure or hematoma induced disturbed neural viability, disordered neural cytomorphology, and increased neurobehavioral and cognitive deficits, but they were improved by ISQ and GsMTx4 strongly. Therefore, ISQ could alleviate neurological injuries induced by Piezo1 via NLRP3 pathway. These observations indicated that Piezos might be the new therapeutic targets, and blocking Piezos/NLRP3 pathway by ISQ could be an auspicious strategy for the treatment of ICH.

Role of Unimers to Polymersomes Transition in Pluronic Blends for Controlled and Designated Drug Conveyance.

This study investigates the nanoscale self-assembly from mixtures of two symmetrical poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-pol(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) block copolymers (BCPs) with different lengths of PEO blocks and similar PPO blocks. The blended BCPs (commercially known as Pluronic F88 and L81, with 80 and 10% PEO, respectively) exhibited rich phase behavior in an aqueous solution. The relative viscosity (ηrel) indicated significant variations in the flow behavior, ranging from fluidic to viscous, thereby suggesting a possible micellar growth or morphological transition. The tensiometric experiments provided insight into the intermolecular hydrophobic interactions at the liquid-air interface favoring the surface activity of mixed-system micellization. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed the varied structural morphologies of these core-shell mixed micelles and polymersomes formed under different conditions. At a concentration of ≤5% w/v, Pluronic F88 exists as molecularly dissolved unimers or Gaussian chains. However, the addition of the very hydrophobic Pluronic L81, even at a much lower (<0.2%) concentration, induced micellization and promoted micellar growth/transition. These results were further substantiated through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, employing a readily transferable coarse-grained (CG) molecular model grounded in the MARTINI force field with density and solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) profiles. These findings proved that F88 underwent micellar growth/transition in the presence of L81. Furthermore, the potential use of these Pluronic mixed micelles as nanocarriers for the anticancer drug quercetin (QCT) was explored. The spectral analysis provided insight into the enhanced solubility of QCT through the assessment of the standard free energy of solubilization (ΔG°), drug-loading efficiency (DL%), encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and partition coefficient (P). A detailed optimization of the drug release kinetics was presented by employing various kinetic models. The [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] MTT assay, a frequently used technique for assessing cytotoxicity in anticancer research, was used to gauge the effectiveness of these QCT-loaded mixed nanoaggregates.

Construction and evaluation of biomass-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles as enzyme-responsive and pH-Responsive drug carriers for the controlled release of quercetin

This study constructed a biomass-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle with enzyme-responsive and pH-responsive properties. The nanoparticles were used to evaluate the loading and release capacities of quercetin (QU). The multifunctional nanoparticles (MSN@CMCS-HA) were constructed by using hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) as shells and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as cores. The carrier's structure and properties were evaluated utilizing zeta, FTIR, TGA, XPS, XRD, BET, SEM, and TEM. The drug adsorption test revealed that the maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity of MSN@CMCS-HA for QU was 314.4 mg/g. In vitro drug release demonstrated that, under the influence of hyaluronidase (100 μg/mL) and pH of 5, the high drug release rate (63.73 %) was achieved. In addition, hemolysis and CCK8 tests confirmed the high biocompatibility of MSN@CMCS-HA. Consequently, MSN@CMCS-HA exhibited promising potential as an enzyme-responsive and pH-responsive drug carrier.

Efficacy and Molecular Mechanism of Quercetin on Constipation Induced by Berberine via Regulating Gut Microbiota.

Berberine (BBR) is used to treat cancer, inflammatory conditions, and so on. But the side effects of BBR causing constipation should not be ignored. In clinical application, the combination of Amomum villosum Lour. (AVL) and BBR can relieve it. However, the effective ingredients and molecular mechanism of AVL in relieving constipation are not clear. A small intestine propulsion experiment was conducted in constipated mice to screen active ingredients of AVL. We further confirmed the molecular mechanism of action of the active ingredient on BBR-induced constipation. Quercetin (QR) was found to be the effective ingredient of AVL in terms of relieving constipation. QR can efficiently regulate the microbiota in mice suffering from constipation. Moreover, QR significantly raised the levels of substance P and motilin while lowering those of 5-hydroxytryptamine and vasoactive intestinal peptide; furthermore, it also increased the protein expression levels of calmodulin, myosin light-chain kinase, and myosin light chain. The use of QR in combination with BBR has an adverse effect-reducing efficacy. The study provides new ideas and possibilities for the treatment of constipation induced by BBR.

Design and Biocompatibility of Biodegradable Poly(octamethylene suberate) Nanoparticles to Treat Skin Diseases.

Biodegradable aliphatic polyester formulations as carriers for topical drug delivery show the potential to encapsulate structurally different therapeutic compounds. Poly(octamethylene suberate) (POS) nanoparticles (POS-NPs) were used as a matrix to encapsulate four therapeutic molecules used to treat skin disorders: caffeine (CF), quercetin (QR), hydrocortisone (HC), and adapalene (AD). Hydrophobicity and chemical structure of bioactive compounds (BCs) influenced the physicochemical stability of drug-loaded nanoparticles. The particle size of drug-loaded nanoparticles was between 254.9 nm for the CF-POS-NP and 1291.3 for QR-POS-NP. Particles had a negative charge from -27.6 mV (QR) to -49.2 mV (HC). Drug loading content for all BC-POS-NPs varies between 36.11 ± 1.48% (CF-POS-NP) and 66.66 ± 4.87% (AD-POS-NP), and their entrapment efficiency is relatively high (28.30 ± 1.81% and 99.95 ± 0.04%, respectively). Calorimetric analysis showed the appearance of polymorphism for AD- and HC-loaded systems and the drug's complete solubilisation into all nanoparticle formulations. FTIR and NMR spectra showed apparent drug incorporation into the polymer matrix of NPs. The encapsulation of BCs enhanced the antioxidative effect. The prepared POS nanoparticles' cytotoxicity was studied using two dermal cell lines, keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and fibroblasts (HDFn). The nanoparticle cytotoxic effect was more substantial on HaCaT cell lines. A reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) was successfully used to investigate the penetration of polymeric NPs. Based on permeation and histology studies, HC-POS-NPs and CF-POS-NPs were shown not to be suitable for dermal applications with the explored drug concentrations. AD presents a high permeation rate and no toxic impact on RHE.

Protective effects of dietary additive quercetin: Nephrotoxicity and ferroptosis induced by avermectin pesticide

In recent years, contamination of aquatic systems with Avermectin (AVM) has emerged as a significant concern. This contamination poses substantial challenges to freshwater aquaculture. Plant-derived Quercetin (QUE), known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and ferroptosis-inhibiting properties, is commonly employed as a supplement in animal feed. However, its protective role against chronic renal injury in freshwater carp induced by AVM remains unclear. This study assesses the influence of dietary supplementation with QUE on the consequences of chronic AVM exposure on carp renal function. The carp were subjected to a 30-day exposure to AVM and were provided with a diet containing 400 mg/kg of QUE. Pathological observations indicated that QUE alleviated renal tissue structural damage caused by AVM. RT-QPCR study revealed that QUE effectively reduced the increased expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors mRNA produced by AVM exposure, by concurrently raising the mRNA expression level of the anti-inflammatory factor. Quantitative analysis using DHE tests and biochemical analysis demonstrated that QUE effectively reduced the buildup of ROS in the renal tissues of carp, activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD, and GSH-px, which were inhibited by AVM, and increased the content of GSH, which was induced by prolonged exposure to AVM. QUE also reduced the levels of MDA, a marker of oxidative damage. Furthermore, assays for ferroptosis markers indicated that QUE increased the mRNA expression levels of gpx4 and slc7a11, which were reduced due to AVM induction, and it caused a reduction in the mRNA expression levels of ftl, ncoa4, and cox2, along with a drop in the Fe2+ concentration. In summary, QUE mitigates chronic AVM exposure-induced renal inflammation in carp by inhibiting the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines. By blocking ROS accumulation, renal redox homeostasis is restored, thereby inhibiting renal inflammation and ferroptosis. This provides a theoretical basis for the development of freshwater carp feed formula.

Protective effect of quercetin on carp cardiac damage caused by difenoconazole via alleviating oxidative damage, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis

Pollution of aquatic environment by difenoconazole (DFZ) significantly affects survival and safety of freshwater aquaculture. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, plant-derived quercetin (QUE) is often used as a dietary supplement. The main purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of QUE on heart damage caused by exposure to pesticide DFZ and the potential mechanisms of these effects. This study found that QUE could effectively reduce the myocardial enzyme spectrum index of carp after exposure to DFZ, increase the levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT), inhibit the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increase the transcription levels of superoxide dismutase (sod), glutathione peroxidase (gsh-px), and cat. By reducing the expression of keap1, QUE increased the transcription levels of nrf2 and nqo-1, reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the heart after exposure to DFZ, and restored the redox homeostasis of the heart. QUE upregulated the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines il-10 and tgf-β1 levels, downregulated the transcription levels of pro-inflammatory factor inos, il-1β, il-6 and tnf-α, and alleviated the in vivo redox imbalance caused by exposure to DFZ, leading to myocardial interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. The results showed that QUE inhibited the apoptosis after exposure to DFZ by affecting the expression of apoptotic factors in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In summary, QUE can effectively decrease myocardial injury caused by exposure to DFZ in aquatic environment.

Protective effect and mechanism of quercetin on acute liver injury induced by diquat poisoning in mice

To investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QR) on acute liver injury induced by diquat (DQ) poisoning in mice and its mechanism. Eighty healthy male C57BL/6 mice with SPF grade were randomly divided into control group, DQ model group, QR treatment group, and QR control group, with 20 mice in each group. The DQ poisoning model was established by a one-time intraperitoneal injection of DQ solution (40 mg/kg); the control and QR control groups received equivalent amounts of distilled water through intraperitoneal injection. Four hours after modeling, the QR treatment group and the QR control group received 0.5 mL QR solution (50 mg/kg) through gavage. Meanwhile, an equivalent amount of distilled water was given orally to the control group and the DQ model group. The treatments above were administered once daily for seven consecutive days. Afterwards, the mice were anesthetized, blood and liver tissues were collected for following tests: changes in the structure of mice liver tissue were observed using transmission electron microscopy; the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissues were measured using the water-soluble tetrazolium-1 (WST-1) method, the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, and enzymatic methods, respectively; the protein expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and activated caspase-9 in liver tissues were detected using Western blotting. Severe mitochondrial damage was observed in the liver tissues of mice in the DQ model group using transmission electron microscopy, yet mitochondrial damage in the QR treatment group showed significant alleviation. Compared to the control group, the DQ model group had significantly increased levels of MDA in liver tissue, serum AST, and ALT, yet had significantly decreased levels of GSH and SOD in liver tissue. In comparison to the DQ model group, the QR treatment group exhibited significant reductions in serum levels of ALT and AST, as well as MDA levels in liver tissue [ALT (U/L): 52.60±6.44 vs. 95.70±8.00, AST (U/L): 170.45±19.33 vs. 251.10±13.09, MDA (nmol/mg): 12.63±3.41 vs. 18.04±3.72], and notable increases in GSH and SOD levels in liver tissue [GSH (μmol/mg): 39.49±6.33 vs. 20.26±3.96, SOD (U/mg): 121.40±11.75 vs. 81.67±10.01], all the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Western blotting results indicated that the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues of the DQ model group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. On the other hand, the protein expressions of Keap1 and activated caspase-9 were conspicuously higher when compared to the control group. In comparison to the DQ model group, the QR treatment group showed a significant increase in the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues (Nrf2/β-actin: 1.17±0.08 vs. 0.92±0.45, HO-1/β-actin: 1.53±0.17 vs. 0.84±0.09). By contrast, there was a notable decrease in the protein expressions of Keap1 and activated caspase-9 (Keap1/β-actin: 0.48±0.06 vs. 1.22±0.09, activated caspase-9/β-actin: 1.17±0.12 vs. 1.59±0.30), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). QR may reduce acute liver injury induced by DQ poisoning in mice via activating Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Development and characterization of cellulose‐based smart films extracted from coconut waste

AbstractThe increasing demands for safe and quality packaged food have diverted all the intentions toward the enhancement of hazard detection and quantification techniques. The integration of smart functions with the novel biomaterials‐based packaging provides an effective approach to deal with the uplifting concerns of food safety and environmental pollution. In the current study, firstly the cellulose was extracted from coconut waste, then it was subjected to prepare biodegradable films and lastly the films were incorporated with curcumin or quercetin dihydrate. The films were characterized for their mechanical, barrier and smart properties. The incorporation of curcumin or quercetin dihydrate improved the physicochemical properties of the cellulose films, including strength, elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP), biodegradability, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, the moisture content and water solubility decreased. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depicted the rough surface of curcumin incorporated smart films which represents successful application of curcumin, while cracks and pits were observed for the films with the higher concentration of quercetin dihydrate. All the smart films showed effective responses against pH ranging from 2 to 14.

Quercetin regulates dendritic cell activation by targeting STAT4 in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a class of autoimmune diseases mainly caused by the immune system attacking the myelin sheath of the axons in the nervous system. Although the pathogenesis of MS is complex, studies have shown that dendritic cells (DCs) play a vital role in the pathogenesis of MS. Quercetin (QU) has a unique advantage in clinical application, especially for treating autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanism of QU in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) remains unclear. In this study, we explore the potential role of QU in EAE. Finally, we find that QU has anti-inflammatory activities and neural protective effects in EAE. The experimental results suggest that the cellular basis for QU's function is to inhibit the activation of DCs while modulating the Th17 cell differentiation in the co-culture system. Further, QU may target STAT4 to inhibit its activation in DCs. This work will be of great significance for the future development and utilization of QU.