• Herbfields  Quercetin Specification:

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound widely found in the plant kingdom, mainly derived from plants such as mistletoe, onion, and green tea. As a powerful natural antioxidant, quercetin has a variety of biological activities and shows broad application prospects in the fields of medicine and health care.

The chemical structure of quercetin contains a flavonoid core skeleton with multiple hydroxyl groups attached. This special molecular structure gives quercetin excellent free radical scavenging ability, making it a powerful natural antioxidant. Studies have shown that the free radical scavenging activity of quercetin can even exceed that of classic antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.

In addition to its excellent antioxidant properties, quercetin also exhibits a variety of biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antiviral. These activities are mainly due to the fact that quercetin can regulate a variety of cell signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt, thereby affecting key processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation.

The discovery of quercetin can be traced back to the early 19th century. In 1836, German chemist Justus von Liebig first isolated and identified this compound from oak bark and named it "quercetin".

In the more than 100 years since then, scientists have conducted extensive research on quercetin and found that it has multiple biological activities and can be used to treat various diseases. In the 1980s, with the development of modern biomedical technology, the research on quercetin entered a new stage, and its potential medicinal value has received more and more attention.

Entering the 21st century, as people pay more and more attention to health and environmental protection, quercetin, as a natural and safe bioactive substance, has received more and more attention and favor. At present, quercetin has become a highly regarded natural medicine and health product raw material.

Through decades of extensive research, scientists have found that quercetin has many unique biological activities that can bring various benefits to our lives. Let's learn about the "magic" of quercetin.

• Quercetin Benefits
• Powerful antioxidant capacity

Quercetin is a very powerful natural antioxidant. It can effectively neutralize free radicals in the human body, prevent oxidative stress, and protect cells from oxidative damage.

Studies have found that the antioxidant capacity of quercetin even exceeds that of classic antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. It can exert antioxidant effects through a variety of mechanisms, such as directly scavenging free radicals, chelating metal ions, activating antioxidant enzyme systems, etc.

This powerful antioxidant capacity makes quercetin play an important role in the prevention and treatment of a variety of oxidative stress-related diseases.

• Anti-inflammatory effect

Quercetin is not only a powerful antioxidant but also has excellent anti-inflammatory activity. It can effectively inhibit key molecules and signaling pathways related to inflammatory response, such as NF-κB, COX-2, IL-6, etc.

Studies have found that quercetin can be used to treat various inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, etc. It can not only relieve symptoms but also fundamentally inhibit the occurrence of inflammatory responses.

It is worth mentioning that the anti-inflammatory effect of quercetin is side-effect-free, which is different from the commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Long-term use of NSAIDs may cause adverse reactions in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidney, while quercetin is a safe and effective natural anti-inflammatory drug.

• Improve cardiovascular health

Quercetin also has a wide range of protective effects on the cardiovascular system. It can improve endothelial function, lower blood pressure, and inhibit the development of atherosclerosis.

Studies have found that quercetin can increase the ability of endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide (NO), thereby promoting vasodilation and improving blood perfusion. At the same time, it can also inhibit the damage of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress to the vascular endothelium and maintain vascular function.

In addition, quercetin also has the effects of anti-platelet aggregation and anti-thrombosis, which can prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Quercetin is a very excellent cardiovascular protective agent, which can effectively prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and myocardial infarction.

• Improve nervous system function

More and more studies have shown that quercetin also has an important protective effect on the nervous system. It can improve cognitive function and prevent the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases.

Quercetin can protect nerve cells through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response, regulating neurotransmitter balance, and promoting neuronal survival. Studies have found that it can be used to prevent and treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

In addition, quercetin also has the effect of improving memory and learning ability. It can enhance the plasticity of neurons and promote the connection between neurons, thereby enhancing the cognitive function of the brain.

Therefore, incorporating quercetin into daily diet or health products can help maintain brain health and prevent the occurrence of neurological diseases.

• Anti-tumor effect

Quercetin is not only a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent but also has a wide range of anti-tumor activity. A large number of studies have confirmed that quercetin can effectively inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of various tumor cells.

Quercetin can exert anti-tumor effects through various mechanisms, such as inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, and hindering the tumor cell cycle.

• Improve sugar and lipid metabolism

Quercetin not only has a wide range of health functions but also improves the body's sugar and lipid metabolism.

Studies have found that quercetin can enhance insulin sensitivity and promote glucose utilization, thereby helping to prevent and control type 2 diabetes. It can also regulate lipid metabolism, lower blood lipid levels, and prevent the occurrence of hyperlipidemia.

In addition, quercetin can inhibit the synthesis of liver fat and promote the oxidative decomposition of fat, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver.

By improving sugar and lipid metabolism, quercetin can provide a safe and effective natural solution for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, etc.

• Improve intestinal health

Quercetin not only has systemic health functions but also improves intestinal health. It can maintain intestinal barrier function through multiple mechanisms, and prevent and treat various intestinal diseases.

First of all, quercetin has antibacterial and antiviral effects, can inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, and maintain the balance of intestinal microecology. At the same time, it can also enhance the antioxidant capacity of intestinal epithelial cells and improve the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

In addition, quercetin can also regulate intestinal immune function and inhibit intestinal inflammatory response, thereby preventing and treating inflammatory bowel disease. Studies have found that quercetin can be used to improve diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

By maintaining intestinal health, quercetin can prevent and treat various intestinal diseases, improve intestinal function, and enhance the overall health of the body.

• Improve skin health

Quercetin not only has systemic health functions but also improves skin health. It can protect the skin through multiple mechanisms, preventing and treating various skin problems.

First, quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that can effectively remove free radicals in skin cells and protect the skin from oxidative damage. Studies have found that it can prevent photoaging, improve skin elasticity and moisture content, and delay skin aging.

In addition, quercetin also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and can prevent and treat various inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema and acne. It can also inhibit the production of melanin, thereby improving pigmentation and fading spots.

It is worth mentioning that quercetin can also promote the repair of skin trauma and accelerate wound healing. This makes it play an important role in treating skin injuries such as burns and trauma.

By maintaining skin health, quercetin can improve skin condition, prevent and treat various skin problems, and give you healthier and younger skin.

• Types of Quercetin
• High-purity quercetin extracts

This type of extract is mainly extracted from plants through advanced separation and purification technologies, such as column chromatography and high-speed centrifugation. Their quercetin content is usually above 95%, making them the purest quercetin products. This high-purity quercetin extract can be used in drug development, high-end health products and other fields.

• Quercetin-enriched extracts

The quercetin content of this type of extract is relatively high, usually between 50-90%. They are enriched from plants through optimized extraction processes, such as enzymatic hydrolysis and supercritical CO2 extraction. This quercetin-enriched extract can be used in mass markets such as functional foods and health products.

• Natural plant extracts

This type of extract is directly extracted from natural plants, and the quercetin content is relatively low, usually around 10-30%. They retain other beneficial components in plants, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, etc., and have more comprehensive biological activity. This natural plant extract can be used in health foods, cosmetics, and other fields.

• Quercetin microcapsule preparations

In order to improve the bioavailability and stability of quercetin, researchers have developed various quercetin microcapsule preparations. These preparations can enhance the solubility and absorbability of quercetin by encapsulating it in carriers such as liposomes and nanoparticles. This type of microcapsule preparation is mainly used in the fields of medicine and health products.

• Quercetin compound preparations

In order to exert the synergistic effect of quercetin, researchers have also developed various quercetin compound preparations. For example, the combination of quercetin with other active ingredients such as vitamin C and resveratrol can enhance its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. This type of compound preparation is mainly used in the fields of health products and functional foods.

Different types of quercetin extracts are designed for different application scenarios and needs and can provide consumers with more abundant and personalized quercetin products.

• The extraction process of quercetin:

1. Raw material collection Quercetin is mainly derived from the bark, leaves, and other parts of the oak tree. First, it is necessary to collect high-quality oak raw materials to ensure the freshness and purity of the raw materials.
2. Pretreatment The collected oak raw materials are cleaned, chopped, and other pretreatments to increase the efficiency of subsequent extraction. Sometimes drying or crushing steps are also required.
3. Extraction There are several common methods for extracting quercetin:

(1) Solvent extraction method: Use organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate to soak and extract the raw materials. This is the simplest and most effective extraction method.

(2) Ultrasonic-assisted extraction method: The mechanical vibration of ultrasound can enhance the dissolution of quercetin from the raw materials. This method has a high extraction efficiency.

(3) Enzymatic hydrolysis: Use hydrolytic enzymes such as papain and cellulase to enzymatically hydrolyze the raw materials to increase the extraction rate of quercetin.

(4) Supercritical CO2 extraction: By utilizing the solvent properties of supercritical CO2, quercetin can be selectively extracted to obtain a high-purity product.

4. Separation and purification The crude extract obtained by extraction usually needs further separation and purification to remove impurities and increase the content of quercetin. Commonly used methods include column chromatography, recrystallization, membrane separation, etc.

5. Concentration and drying Finally, the purified quercetin solution is concentrated and dried to obtain high-purity quercetin powder or crystals. This is the final product of quercetin extraction.

The entire quercetin extraction process requires multiple steps such as raw material collection, pretreatment, extraction, separation and purification, concentration, and drying. Each step needs to be carefully designed and optimized to obtain high-quality quercetin products.

• The market for quercetin presents the following characteristics:

1. Demand continues to grow As people pay more attention to health and natural products, the demand for quercetin in the fields of health care products, cosmetics, and medicine continues to grow. It is expected that the quercetin market will maintain a stable annual growth rate in the next few years.
2. Application areas continue to expand Quercetin was originally mainly used in the field of health care products, but with the deepening of research, its effects in anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor have gradually been discovered. In recent years, the application of quercetin in the fields of medicine, food, and cosmetics has also been continuously expanded.
3. Product form diversification To meet the needs of different consumer groups, quercetin products are developing in a diversified direction. In addition to traditional powders, capsules and other products, quercetin has also been developed into new product forms such as microcapsules, nano preparations, and compound preparations.
4. Broad international market As a natural plant extract, quercetin has broad application prospects worldwide. At present, quercetin has entered the health care and pharmaceutical markets of developed countries such as Europe, the United States, and Japan, and there is also great room for development in emerging markets such as China and India in the future.
5. Fierce competition in the industry As the market demand for quercetin continues to expand, related companies have increased their investment in quercetin research and development and production. Some large multinational companies and professional manufacturers have emerged in the industry, and market competition is becoming increasingly fierce.

As a functional natural compound, quercetin has broad market prospects, its application areas are constantly expanding, and its product forms are becoming increasingly rich. In the future, the quercetin market will show a trend of sustained growth, and industry competition will become more intense.