Latest Updates on Pharmaceutical Properties of Quercetin and its Deriva-tives as Bioactive Flavonoids in Health Protection and Disease Treatment

<P> Quercetin, a flavonoid present in various fruits and plants, has been consumed by humans for centuries. Its wide range of health benefits has attracted interest from both nu-tritionists and medicinal chemists. Extensive research highlights its anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperuricemic, antidiabetic, renoprotective, and antiviral properties. Its strong antioxidant activity helps neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and pro-tect cells from damage. Quercetin’s anti-inflammatory effects arise from the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, suggesting potential for treating various inflammatory conditions. Additionally, it can inhibit cancer cell growth and induce cancer cell death. Car-diovascular protection is another notable benefit, including lowering blood pressure, reduc-ing cholesterol, and improving endothelial function, which supports its potential in prevent-ing and treating cardiovascular diseases. </P> <P> This review discusses quercetin’s chemical structure, biomolecular activities, bioavailabil-ity, and diverse pharmacological effects in health and disease. It also highlights that increas-ing dietary quercetin through the consumption of fruits, vegetables, or supplements may support health maintenance and chronic disease prevention. While future research remains promising for its use in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and medical applications aimed at improving health, further studies are needed to clarify its underlying mechanisms, enhance bioavailability, and assess long-term safety for broader use. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the health benefits of quercetin across different disease pro-cesses. It also covers the sources of quercetin, its nanoformulations, and its roles in health management, in addition to summarizing key findings from notable clinical trials.