title: Molecular Targets Underlying the Anticancer Effects of Quercetin: An Update.
abstract: Quercetin, a medicinally important member of the flavonoid family, is one of the most prominent dietary antioxidants. It is present in a variety of foods-including fruits, vegetables, tea, wine, as well as other dietary supplements-and is responsible for various health benefits. Numerous pharmacological effects of quercetin include protection against diseases, such as osteoporosis, certain forms of malignant tumors, and pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders. Quercetin has the special ability of scavenging highly reactive species, such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals. These oxygen radicals are called reactive oxygen species, which can cause oxidative damage to cellular components, such as proteins, lipids, and deoxyribonucleic acid. Various oxygen radicals play important roles in pathophysiological and degenerative processes, such as aging. Subsequently, several studies have been performed to evaluate possible advantageous health effects of quercetin and to collect scientific evidence for these beneficial health claims. These studies also gather data in order to evaluate the exact mechanism(s) of action and toxicological effects of quercetin. The purpose of this review is to present and critically analyze molecular pathways underlying the anticancer effects of quercetin. Current limitations and future directions of research on this bioactive dietary polyphenol are also critically discussed.
authors: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. fazlullahdr@gmail.com.|Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. fazlullahdr@gmail.com.
authors: Fazlullah
authors: F
authors: Khan
authors: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. kamalniaz1989@gmail.com.|Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. kamalniaz1989@gmail.com.
authors: Kamal
authors: K
authors: Niaz
authors: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. faheemthepharmacist@gmail.com.|Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. faheemthepharmacist@gmail.com.
authors: Faheem
authors: F
authors: Maqbool
authors: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. pharm.fatee@yahoo.com.|Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. pharm.fatee@yahoo.com.
authors: Fatima
authors: F
authors: Ismail Hassan
authors: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. Mohammad.Abdollahi@UToronto.Ca.|Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran. Mohammad.Abdollahi@UToronto.Ca.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Abdollahi
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin Health Sciences Institute, Miami, FL 33169, USA. kvenkata@Ularkin.org.
authors: Kalyan C
authors: KC
authors: Nagulapalli Venkata
authors: Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1435916471, Iran. nabavi208@gmail.com.
authors: Seyed Mohammad
authors: SM
authors: Nabavi
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin Health Sciences Institute, Miami, FL 33169, USA. Mohammad@TUMS.Ac.Ir.
authors: Anupam
authors: A
authors: Bishayee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011794:Quercetin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011794:Quercetin
keywords: DNA damage; bioavailability; cancer prevention; diet; polyphenols; quercetin