Quercetin glycosides prevent dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in mice

Although quercetin has numerous biological benefits, including preventing muscle atrophy due to disuse, no reports have been published to date about the preventive effects and molecular mechanisms underlying drug-induced muscle atrophy. Highly soluble and bioavailable quercetin glycosides (QGs) were used to examine the inhibition of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy in vivo. Male BALB/cCrSlc mice were treated with or without QGs for 7 days ad libitum, followed by addition of DEX to their drinking water for a further 7 days. The weight of gastrocnemius (GM) adjusted by body weight was significantly decreased on day 7 after DEX treatment. DEX-induced decrease of GM weight was improved by QG co-administration on day 7. The mRNA levels of muscle atrophy-related genes in the gastrocnemius were significantly lowered by QGs on day 1. In particular, the expression of myostatin, a master regulator of muscle mass homeostasis, was suppressed to that of the control level. In murine C2C12 myotubes, quercetin elevated the phosphorylation of Akt, which are downstream of the myostatin pathway, as well as expression of atrogenes. We demonstrated the protective effect of QGs in DEX-induced muscle atrophy, which might depend on the suppression of myostatin signaling.     

Induction of apoptosis by quercetin: different response of human chronic myeloid (K562) and acute lymphoblastic (HSB-2) leukemia cells

This work shows that 25 μM quercetin caused a marked inhibition of K562 cells growth together with a mild cytotoxicity, while HSB-2 cells were practically unaffected. Moreover, quercetin induced caspase-3 and cytochrome c-dependent apoptosis almost exclusively in the former cell line. Exposure of K562 cells to quercetin caused also a significant increase of cells in G₂/M phase that reached the maximum peak at 24 h (4-fold with respect to the basal value). The major sensitivity exhibited by K562 cells was only in part imputable to their higher glutathione content, as compared to HSB-2 cells, thus confirming previous reports describing the formation of intracellular quercetin–thiol toxic adducts in cells exposed to the flavonoid. In fact, after induction of intracellular glutathione increase we detected in both cell lines a significant rise of apoptotic cells, again more marked in K562 cells. By contrast, glutathione-depleted cells, failed to show a decrease of apoptosis in both cell lines, thus contradicting our previous findings and literature data. Since the yet unresolved question about the anti-oxidant or the pro-oxidant capacity of quercetin, we investigated which of these two properties worked in our experimental model. Interestingly, not only quercetin did not produce reactive oxygen species but also prevented their formation, as observed in cells exposed to the oxidizing agent ter-butylhydroperoxide, acting as an efficient oxygen radicals scavenger. This result indicates that quercetin exhibited, in these cell lines, anti-oxidant more than pro-oxidant ability.     

RNAi分析舞毒蛾谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)基因对黄酮和槲皮素胁迫响应

为了明确舞毒蛾Lymantria dispar谷胱甘肽S-转移酶家族基因对生长发育影响及对次生物质的响应机制,采用RNAi技术分别沉默LdGSTe2、LdGSTs1、LdGSTs2和LdGSTz1基因,分析对舞毒蛾3龄幼虫体重、存活率、营养利用等生理指标的影响以及次生物质黄酮和槲皮素胁迫响应.结果表明,dsRNA可有效抑制LdGSTe2、LdGSTs1、LdGSTs2和LdGSTz1基因表达,分别注射dsLdGSTe2、dsLdGSTs1、dsLdGSTs2和dsLdGSTz1处理组舞毒蛾幼虫的相对生长率、相对取食量、食物利用率、食物转化率均低于对照组,但对幼虫的存活率无影响,表明LdGSTe2、LdGSTs1、LdGSTs2和LdGSTz1影响舞毒蛾幼虫生长发育;次生物质黄酮和槲皮素胁迫下,沉默LdGSTe2、LdGSTs1、LdGSTs2和LdGSTz1后舞毒蛾幼虫存活率显著下降,体重显著降低.沉默LdGSTe2、LdGSTs1、LdGSTs2和LdGSTz1基因对舞毒蛾幼虫的生长发育、食物利用具有抑制作用,同时影响了舞毒蛾幼虫对黄酮和槲皮素的适应能力.     

The role of AMP-activated protein kinase in quercetin-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells

Our previous studies have shown that quercetin inhibits Cox-2 and Bcl-2 expressions, and induces human leukemia HL-60 cell apoptosis. In order to investigate the role of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） on quercetin- induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells, we used flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis. The expressions of LKB1, phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK）, and Cox-2 protein were detected in HL-60 cells and normal peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells （PBMCs） by western blot. The expressions of LKB1, p-AMPK, and Cox-2 were detected in HL-60 cells after culture with quercetin. The expressions of p-AMPK were detected in HL-60 cells after culture with AMPK inhibitor Compound C. Then, the expressions of LKB1, p-AMPK, and Cox-2 were detected in HL-60 cells after culture with quercetin alone or quercetin ＋ Compound C. It was found that there was no significant difference in LKB1 between PBMCs and HL-60. p-AMPK in PBMCs was higher than that in HL-60, while Cox-2 was lower. After culture of HL-60 with quercetin, p-AMPK was increased, Cox-2 was decreased, but LKB1 remained unchanged. After culture of HL-60 with Compound C, p-AMPK was decreased. There was no significant differ- ence in LKB1 between the quercetin-alone and the quercetin ＋ Compound C groups, p-AMPK decreased more significantly, while Cox-2 increased more significant- ly in the quercetin ＋ Compound C groups than those in the quercetin-alone groups. Taken together, these findings suggested that quercetin activates AMPK expression in HL-60 cells independent of LKB1 activation, inhibits Cox-2 expression by activating AMPK, and further regulates the Bcl-2-dependent pathways of apoptosis to exert its anti-leukemia effect.     

Senolytics alleviate the degenerative disorders of temporomandibular joint in old age

Aging is one of the major risk factors for degenerative joint disorders, including those involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ degeneration occurs primarily in the population over 65, significantly increasing the risk of joint discomfort, restricted joint mobility, and reduced quality of life. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective mechanism‐based treatment available in the clinic to alleviate TMJ degeneration with aging. We now demonstrate that intermittent administration of senolytics, drugs which can selectively clear senescent cells, preserved mandibular condylar cartilage thickness, improved subchondral bone volume and turnover, and reduced Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histopathological score in both 23‐ to 24‐month‐old male and female mice. Senolytics had little effect on 4 months old young mice, indicating age‐specific benefits. Our study provides proof‐of‐concept evidence that age‐related TMJ degeneration can be alleviated by pharmaceutical intervention targeting cellular senescence. Since the senolytics used in this study have been proven relatively safe in recent human studies, our findings may help justify future clinical trials addressing TMJ degeneration in old age.     

Quercetin protection against ciprofloxacin induced liver damage in rats

Ciprofloxacin is a common, broad spectrum antibacterial agent; however, evidence is accumulating that ciprofloxacin may cause liver damage. Quercetin is a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. We investigated histological changes in hepatic tissue of rats caused by ciprofloxacin and the effects of quercetin on these changes using histochemical and biochemical methods. We divided 28 adult female Wistar albino rats into four equal groups: control, quercetin treated, ciprofloxacin treated, and ciprofloxacin + quercetin treated. At the end of the experiment, liver samples were processed for light microscopic examination and biochemical measurements. Sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and a histopathologic damage score was calculated. The sections from the control group appeared normal. Hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration and intracellular vacuolization were observed in the ciprofloxacin group. The histopathological findings were reduced in the group treated with quercetin. Significant differences were found between the control and ciprofloxacin groups, and between the ciprofloxacin and ciprofloxacin + quercetin groups. Quercetin administration reduced liver injury caused by ciprofloxacin in rats. We suggest that quercetin may be useful for preventing ciprofloxacin induced liver damage.     

利用反相高效液相色谱测定香椿叶中槲皮素含量

用乙醇对香椿叶粉末进行提取,树脂柱浓缩,真空冷冻干燥,甲醇溶解,制备香椿黄酮。用7.6 mol.L-1盐酸85℃水浴回流2 h进行水解,以反相ODS柱甲醇-水(体积比为50:50,磷酸调pH至2.53)为流动相,在波长368 nm处对香椿叶中的槲皮素进行分离、测定。结果表明:香椿叶中含槲皮素平均质量分数为1.28%,平均加样回收率为98.9%,RSD为1.75%,反相高效液相色谱法测定香椿叶中槲皮素含量操作简便易行、结果准确可靠。     

槲皮素硫酸酯对猪血小板胞浆游离钙浓度和蛋白激酶C的影响

槲皮素（ｑｕｅｒｃｅｔｉｎ,Ｑｕｅ）,是一种天然的黄酮类化合物,具有多种生物活性［１］,但是Ｑｕｅ水溶性差,口服时胃肠难以吸收［２］．因此,为进一步开发和利用Ｑｕｅ,人工合成水溶性Ｑｕｅ——槲桷皮素硫酸酯（ｓｏｄｉｕｍｑｕｅｒｃｅｔｉｎｓｕｌｆａｔｅ...     

Treatment of COVID-19 patients with quercetin: a prospective,single center,randomized, controlled trial

Scientific research continues on new preventive and therapeutic strategies against severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). So far, there is no proven curative treatment, and a valid alternative therapeutic approach needs to be developed. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of quercetin in COVID-19 treatment. This was a single-centre, prospective randomized controlled cohort study. Routine care versus QCB (quercetin, vitamin C, bromelain) supplementation was compared between 429 patients with at least one chronic disease and moderate-to-severe respiratory symptoms. Demographic features, signs, laboratory results and drug administration data of patients were recorded. The endpoint was that QCB supplementation was continued throughout the follow-up period from study baseline to discharge, intubation, or death. The most common complaints at the time of hospital admission were fatigue (62.4%), cough (61.1%), anorexia (57%), thirst (53.7%), respiratory distress (51%) and chills (48.3%). The decrease in CRP and ferritin levels was higher in the QCB group (all Ps were < 0.05). In the QCB group, the increase in platelet and lymphocyte counts was higher (all Ps were < 0.05). QCB did not reduce the risk of events during follow-up. Adjustments for statistically significant parameters, including the lung stage, use of favipiravir and presence of comorbidity did not change the results. While there was no difference between the groups in terms of event frequency, the QCB group had more advanced pulmonary findings. QCB supplement is shown to have a positive effect on laboratory recovery. While there was no difference between the groups in terms of event frequency, QCB supplement group had more advanced pulmonar findings, and QCB supplement is shown to have a positive effect on laboratory recovery/results. Therefore, we conclude that further studies involving different doses and plasma level measurements are required to reveal the dose/response relationship and bioavailability of QCB for a better understanding of the role of QCB in the treatment of SARS CoV-2.