title: Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response.
abstract: Quercetin is the great representative of polyphenols, flavonoids subgroup, flavonols. Its main natural sources in foods are vegetables such as onions, the most studied quercetin containing foods, and broccoli; fruits (apples, berry crops, and grapes); some herbs; tea; and wine. Quercetin is known for its antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties characterized by stimulation of immune system, antiviral activity, inhibition of histamine release, decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukotrienes creation, and suppresses interleukin IL-4 production. It can improve the Th1/Th2 balance, and restrain antigen-specific IgE antibody formation. It is also effective in the inhibition of enzymes such as lipoxygenase, eosinophil and peroxidase and the suppression of inflammatory mediators. All mentioned mechanisms of action contribute to the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of quercetin that can be effectively utilized in treatment of late-phase, and late-late-phase bronchial asthma responses, allergic rhinitis and restricted peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions. Plant extract of quercetin is the main ingredient of many potential anti-allergic drugs, supplements and enriched products, which is more competent in inhibiting of IL-8 than cromolyn (anti-allergic drug disodium cromoglycate) and suppresses IL-6 and cytosolic calcium level increase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Analysis and Chemistry, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavreckova 275, CZ-760 01 Zlín, Czech Republic. mlcek@ft.utb.cz.
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mlcek
authors.affiliation: Institute for Teacher Training, Faculty of Central European Studies, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Drazovska 4, SK-949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. tjurikova@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Tunde
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jurikova
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Analysis and Chemistry, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavreckova 275, CZ-760 01 Zlín, Czech Republic. skrovankova@ft.utb.cz.
authors.forename: Sona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skrovankova
authors.affiliation: Department of Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University in Brno, Valticka 337, CZ-691 44 Lednice, Czech Republic. sochor.jirik@seznam.cz.
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sochor
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry; D044948:Flavonols / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006632:Histamine / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D019697:Onions / Q000737:chemistry; D011794:Quercetin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D044948:Flavonols; C508598:IL4 protein, human; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006632:Histamine; D011794:Quercetin
keywords: anti-allergic effect; anti-inflammatory properties; flavonoids; immune response; quercetin