Quercetin may reduce the risk of developing the symptoms of COVID-19

• Published in: Avicenna journal of phytomedicine Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 189 - 201
• Main Authors: Ajami, Marjan, Sotoudeheian, Mohammadjavad, Houshiar-Rad, Anahita, Esmaili, Mina, Naeini, Fatemeh, Mohammadi Nasrabadi, Fatemeh, Doaei, Saied, Milani-Bonab, Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 01.03.2024
• Subjects: ace-2 receptors; covid-19; quercetin; Review; rna-dependent rna polymerase; sars-cov-2 main protease; COVID-19; RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; SARS-CoV-2 main protease; ACE-2 receptors; Quercetin
• DOI: 10.22038/AJP.2023.22920
• ISSN: 2228-7930

Recent evidence reported that some dietary compounds like quercetin and apigenin as the most well-known flavonoids with anti-inflammatory effects may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The hypothesis of the promising effects and possible mechanisms of action of quercetin against COVID-19 were assessed in this article. Related papers on the inhibitory effects of quercetin against COVID-19 were collected using the following search strategy: "corona or coronavirus or COVID or COVID-19 or viral or virus" AND "nutrient or flavonoid or Quercetin". The findings indicated that quercetin can be considered an effective agent against COVID-19 because of its SARS-CoV-2 main protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitory effects. In addition, quercetin may attenuate angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors leading to a reduction of SARS-CoV-2 ability to enter host cells. Moreover, the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities of quercetin have been frequently reported. Quercetin may be an effective agent for managing the complications of COVID-19. Further longitudinal human studies are warranted.