Title:Application of Nanoparticles for Efficient Delivery of Quercetin in
Cancer Cells
Volume: 31
Issue: 9
Author(s): Mina Homayoonfal, Azadeh Aminianfar, Zatollah Asemi*Bahman Yousefi*
Affiliation:
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences,
Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz
University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University
of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Keywords:
Quercetin, cancer, nanoparticle, targeting delivery, flavonoid, apoptosis.
Abstract: Quercetin (Qu, 3,5,7,3’, 4’-pentahydroxyflavanone) is a natural polyphenol
compound abundantly found in health food or plant-based products. In recent decades,
Qu has gained significant attention in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutic industries
owning to its wide beneficial therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
and anticancer activities. Despite the favorable roles of Qu in cancer therapy due to its
numerous impacts on the cell signaling axis, its poor chemical stability and bioavailability,
low aqueous solubility as well as short biological half-life have limited its clinical application.
Recently, drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology have been developed
to overcome such limitations and enhance the Qu biodistribution following administration.
Several investigations have indicated that the nano-formulation of Qu enjoys
more remarkable anticancer effects than its free form. Furthermore, incorporating Qu in
various nano-delivery systems improved its sustained release and stability, extended its
circulation time, enhanced its accumulation at target sites, and increased its therapeutic efficiency.
The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the anticancer
properties of various Qu nano-formulation to augment their effects on different
malignancies. Various targeting strategies for improving Qu delivery, including nanoliposomes,
lipids, polymeric, micelle, and inorganic nanoparticle NPs, have been discussed
in this review. The results of the current study illustrated that a combination of appropriate
nano encapsulation approaches with tumor-oriented targeting delivery might lead to
establishing QU nanoparticles that can be a promising technique for cancer treatment.