Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 Diabetes
Quercetin (QE) is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods. It is recognized for its diverse pharmacological activities. Among its many therapeutic potentials, its antidiabetic properties are of particular interest due to the growing worldwide pre...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Przemysław Niziński Anna Hawrył Paweł Polak Adrianna Kondracka Tomasz Oniszczuk Jakub Soja Mirosław Hawrył Anna Oniszczuk |
| author_facet | Przemysław Niziński Anna Hawrył Paweł Polak Adrianna Kondracka Tomasz Oniszczuk Jakub Soja Mirosław Hawrył Anna Oniszczuk |
| author_sort | Przemysław Niziński |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Quercetin (QE) is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods. It is recognized for its diverse pharmacological activities. Among its many therapeutic potentials, its antidiabetic properties are of particular interest due to the growing worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus. QE improves glycemic control by enhancing insulin sensitivity, stimulating glucose uptake, and preserving pancreatic beta cell function. These effects are mediated by the modulation of key molecular pathways, including AMPK, PI3K/Akt, and Nrf2/ARE, as well as by the suppression of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. Furthermore, QE mitigates the progression of diabetic complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and vascular dysfunction, reducing lipid peroxidation and protecting endothelial function. However, the clinical application of quercetin is limited by its low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and extensive phase II metabolism. Advances in formulation strategies, including the use of nanocarriers, co-crystals, and phospholipid complexes, have shown promise in improving its pharmacokinetics. This review elucidates the mechanistic basis of QE quercetin antidiabetic action and discusses strategies to enhance its therapeutic potential in clinical settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9e7a35f1359d4ee8bebe844d0fa663bb |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-9e7a35f1359d4ee8bebe844d0fa663bb2025-08-20T03:04:43ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-07-013015309610.3390/molecules30153096Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 DiabetesPrzemysław Niziński0Anna Hawrył1Paweł Polak2Adrianna Kondracka3Tomasz Oniszczuk4Jakub Soja5Mirosław Hawrył6Anna Oniszczuk7Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Orthopedics and Treumatology, Provincial Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska, Terebelska 57, 21-500 Biała Podlaska, PolandDepartment of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Thermal Technology and Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 31, 20-612 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Thermal Technology and Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 31, 20-612 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, PolandQuercetin (QE) is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods. It is recognized for its diverse pharmacological activities. Among its many therapeutic potentials, its antidiabetic properties are of particular interest due to the growing worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus. QE improves glycemic control by enhancing insulin sensitivity, stimulating glucose uptake, and preserving pancreatic beta cell function. These effects are mediated by the modulation of key molecular pathways, including AMPK, PI3K/Akt, and Nrf2/ARE, as well as by the suppression of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. Furthermore, QE mitigates the progression of diabetic complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and vascular dysfunction, reducing lipid peroxidation and protecting endothelial function. However, the clinical application of quercetin is limited by its low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and extensive phase II metabolism. Advances in formulation strategies, including the use of nanocarriers, co-crystals, and phospholipid complexes, have shown promise in improving its pharmacokinetics. This review elucidates the mechanistic basis of QE quercetin antidiabetic action and discusses strategies to enhance its therapeutic potential in clinical settings.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3096quercetinpolyphenolsnutraceuticalsfunctional foodoxidative stressantioxidants |
| spellingShingle | Przemysław Niziński Anna Hawrył Paweł Polak Adrianna Kondracka Tomasz Oniszczuk Jakub Soja Mirosław Hawrył Anna Oniszczuk Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 Diabetes Molecules quercetin polyphenols nutraceuticals functional food oxidative stress antioxidants |
| title | Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 Diabetes |
| title_full | Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 Diabetes |
| title_fullStr | Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 Diabetes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 Diabetes |
| title_short | Potential of Quercetin as a Promising Therapeutic Agent Against Type 2 Diabetes |
| title_sort | potential of quercetin as a promising therapeutic agent against type 2 diabetes |
| topic | quercetin polyphenols nutraceuticals functional food oxidative stress antioxidants |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3096 |
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