Review Article
    Pharmacognosy Reviews
    Vol. 10
    Issue 20
    2016
    pp. 84-89
    Open Access

    Overviews of Biological Importance of Quercetin: A Bioactive Flavonoid

    Alexander Victor Anand David1,Radhakrishnan Arulmoli1,Subramani Parasuraman2
    1Unit of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, MALAYSIA.
    2Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Bedong 08100, MALAYSIA.
    Correspondence:

    *Subramani Parasuraman

    Unit of Pharmacology Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Bedong 08100, MALAYSIA.

    parasuraman@aimst.edu.my

    Copyright:

    2016 Author(s)

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    Published:21/11/2016

    Abstract

    Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules such as free radicals. Flavonoids are phenolic substances widely found in fruits and vegetables. The previous studies showed that the ingestion of flavonoids reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and certain types of cancer. These effects are due to the physiological activity of flavonoids in the reduction of oxidative stress, inhibiting low‑density lipoproteins oxidation and platelet aggregation, and acting as vasodilators in blood vessels. Free radicals are constantly generated resulting in extensive damage to tissues leading to various disease conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, renal diseases, cardiac abnormalities, etc., Medicinal plants with antioxidant properties play a vital functions in exhibiting beneficial effects and employed as an alternative source of medicine to mitigate the disease associated with oxidative stress. Flavonoids have existed over one billion years and possess wide spectrum of biological activities that might be able to influence processes which are dysregulated in a disease. Quercetin, a plant pigment is a potent antioxidant flavonoid and more specifically a flavonol, found mostly in onions, grapes, berries, cherries, broccoli, and citrus fruits. It is a versatile antioxidant known to possess protective abilities against tissue injury induced by various drug toxicities.

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    Keywords

    Antioxidant
    bioflavonoid
    free radical
    quercetin
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