Is Quercetin a Good Antioxidant?

Quercetin is an important flavonoid that is abundant in fruits and vegetables. Sophora Japonica Extract Quercetin can slow down the oxidative stress process of the body by directly scavenging oxidative free radicals, chelating and metal ions, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The strong antioxidant capacity of quercetin makes it have a good preventive and therapeutic effect on diseases caused by oxidative stress.

How does quercetin work as an antioxidant?

1. Quercetin can directly scavenge active oxygen free radicals and reduce the occurrence of oxidative damage.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mainly include superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide. Excessive reactive oxygen species can damage cellular components such as proteins and lipids. It has been reported that quercetin can scavenge hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions accumulated in cells both in vitro and in vivo.

The antioxidant capacity of quercetin is attributed to its two optimal configurational pharmacophore for free radical scavenging, namely the catechol group in the B ring and the hydroxyl group in the 3-position of the A and C rings.

2. Quercetin can chelate metal ions to play an antioxidant role

When the homeostasis of metal iron and copper in the body is destroyed, excess Fe2+ and Cu2+ accumulate in cells and cause lipid peroxidation. Fe2+ can also catalyze hydroxyl radicals and cause oxidative stress. Quercetin can chelate Cu2+ and Fe2+ through catechol in its structure, thereby exerting antioxidant effect.

3. Quercetin can inhibit the oxidative damage caused by ox-LDL

Low-density lipoprotein in the human body is oxidized to form oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). High concentrations of ox-LDL can induce oxidative stress on endothelial cells, macrophages, platelets, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells, leading to cell necrosis or apoptosis. At the same time, elevated ox-LDL in vivo is also an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that quercetin inhibits the oxidation of LDL and has significant benefits for the body.

4. Quercetin can increase antioxidant enzyme activity

In the body's antioxidant enzyme system, SOD is an antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes superoxide anion into relatively stable H2O2. peroxygen

Catalase (CAT) can act synergistically with glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) to scavenge the hydrogen peroxide produced by SOD disproportionation superoxide anion free radicals and protect cells from peroxides hazard.

Quercetin can regulate the enzyme-mediated antioxidant defense system and the enzyme-independent antioxidant defense system to exert its antioxidant effect.

Summary

Sophora Japonica Extract Quercetin has strong antioxidant function and can play an important role in the prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases. However, the relevant mechanisms of quercetin's antioxidant activity, such as signal transduction pathways, protease function, mitochondrial integrity, etc., still need further research.