Department of Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University, 4-1-1 Matsuoka Kenjojima, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1195, Japan.
Food Funct. 2015 May;6(5):1399-417. doi: 10.1039/c4fo01178c.
The physiological functions and bioavailability of flavonoids have been widely investigated since their bioactivities were identified about 80 years ago. Quercetin is a typical flavonoid ubiquitously contained in vegetables and fruits with several biological effects demonstrated in vitro and in vivo including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities. After the ingestion of vegetables and fruits, quercetin glycosides are metabolized, absorbed, and circulated as types of conjugates in the blood. Thereafter, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide (Q3GA), a major metabolite of quercetin, is distributed throughout the body where it may exert beneficial functions in target tissues. Hydrophilic Q3GA has been found to be deconjugated into hydrophobic quercetin aglycone at injured sites which, in turn, may improve the pathological conditions. This review presents updated information on the biological aspects and mechanisms of action of quercetin and its related polyphenols. In particular, new insights into their beneficial health effects on the brain, blood vessels, muscle, and intestine will be discussed.
黄酮类化合物的生理功能和生物利用度自 80 年前其生物活性被确定以来就得到了广泛的研究。槲皮素是一种广泛存在于蔬菜和水果中的典型类黄酮，具有多种体外和体内的生物学效应，包括抗氧化、抗炎、抗癌和抗糖尿病活性。在摄入蔬菜和水果后，槲皮素糖苷作为血液中的结合物被代谢、吸收和循环。此后，槲皮素-3-O-β-D-葡萄糖醛酸苷（Q3GA）是槲皮素的主要代谢物，分布在全身，在靶组织中可能发挥有益的功能。已发现亲水性的 Q3GA 在受损部位被去结合成疏水性的槲皮素苷元，这反过来可能改善病理状况。本文综述了槲皮素及其相关多酚的生物学特性和作用机制的最新信息。特别是，将讨论它们对大脑、血管、肌肉和肠道的有益健康影响的新见解。
