Quercetin: Are you a health professional? - CancerChoices



Quercetin, found in many plant-based foods and available as a supplement, is linked to better body terrainthe internal conditions of your body, including nutritional status, fitness, blood sugar balance, hormone balance, inflammation and more, and especially lower inflammation.

Are you a health professional?

This section does not replicate the other information on this topic but provides additional details or context most relevant to professionals.

No effect of quercetin on EGCG bioavailability

Quercetin showed no evidence of an effect on bioavailability of EGCG and methylation activity in prostate tissue or red blood cells among men with prostate cancer treated with quercetin in a small RCT.1Henning SM, Wang P et al. Prospective randomized trial evaluating blood and prostate tissue concentrations of green tea polyphenols and quercetin in men with prostate cancer. Food & Function. 2020 May 1;11(5):4114-4122.

Preclinical evidence

Notable preclinical evidence is presented here; clinical evidence is in How can quercetin help you? What the research says ›

Improving treatment outcomes

Quercetin increases chemosensitivity of cancer cells.2Hu Y, Li R, Jin J, Wang Y, Ma R. Quercetin improves pancreatic cancer chemo-sensitivity by regulating oxidative-inflammatory networks. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2022 Dec;46(12):e14453; Zhang X, Huang J et al. Quercetin enhanced paclitaxel therapeutic effects towards PC-3 prostate cancer through ER stress induction and ROS production. OncoTargets and Therapy. 2020 Jan 16;13:513-523; Prieto-Vila M, Shimomura I et al. Quercetin Inhibits Lef1 and resensitizes docetaxel-resistant breast cancer cells. Molecules. 2020 Jun 1;25(11):2576. .

Managing side effects: preclinical evidence

Cardiotoxicity: Quercetin reduces the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin combined with cyclophosphamide in cell studies.3Zhang P, Zhang J, Zhao L, Li S, Li K. Quercetin attenuates the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide regimen and potentiates its chemotherapeutic effect against triple-negative breast cancer. Phytotherapy Research. 2022 Jan;36(1):551-561. 

Immunosuppression and cognitive effects: Quercetin ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression of rats.4Ebokaiwe AP, Ushang OR, Ogunwa TH, Kikiowo B, Olusanya O. Quercetin attenuates cyclophosphamide induced-immunosuppressive indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of male Wister rats. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology. 2022 Nov;36(11):e23179; Peter Ebokaiwe A, Olachi Obasi D, Kalu WO. Abatement of cyclophosphamide-induced splenic immunosuppressive indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase and altered hematological indices in Wister rats by dietary quercetin. Immunobiology. 2022 May;227(3):152218..

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Author

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Reviewer

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant
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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Last update: May 7, 2024

Last full literature review: January 2023

We are grateful for research assistance from Adriana Rocio Gutierrez Galvis and Ma Victoria Acuña.

CancerChoices provides information about integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care, and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocialtherapy, and acupuncture therapies and self carelifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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