Encapsulating quercetin in cyclodextrin metal–organic frameworks improved its solubility and bioavailability

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Quercetin (Que) has many pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antioxidant, cardiovascular protection, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering activities. However, its poor water solubility greatly limits its application in medicine and food. γ-Cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (γ-CD-MOFs) are novel porous carriers for loading functional products. In this study, Que was successfully loaded into γ-CD-MOFs, and the new compound (Que-CD-MOFs) was characterised by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS:The apparent solubility of Que-CD-MOFs was enhanced by 100-fold compared with that of pure Que. The free radical scavenging ability of the encapsulated Que was significantly improved. The cytotoxicity of Que-CD-MOFs to HK-2 cells was decreased, and their inhibition on HT-29 tumour cells was maintained, as confirmed by CCK-8 assays. Flow cytometry of HT-29 cells showed that Que-CD-MOFs can inhibit G2 phase cells. Based on molecular modelling, Que molecules were preferentially located inside the cavities of γ-CD pairs in γ-CD-MOFs.CONCLUSION: γ-CD-MOFs are promising carriers for bioactive agents in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Research Progress on Quercetin's Biological Activity and Structural Modification Based on Its Antitumor Effects

“…Quercetin's limited solubility and bioavailability limit its use. [13,105,106] By optimizing the structure of quercetin, many quercetin derivatives with good solubility and high bioavailability have been synthesized, which have many advantages in anticancer, antioxidant/antiaging, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic properties and have broad application prospects. As a result, it is critical to design and manufacture novel quercetin derivatives to overcome these limitations.…”

“…Quercetin is a useful natural flavonoid that has been extensively studied because of its potential to modulate a wide range of targets and signalling pathways. Quercetin's limited solubility and bioavailability limit its use [13,105,106] . By optimizing the structure of quercetin, many quercetin derivatives with good solubility and high bioavailability have been synthesized, which have many advantages in anticancer, antioxidant/antiaging, antiviral, anti‐inflammatory, and hypoglycemic properties and have broad application prospects.…”

Cyclodextrin-Coordinated Liposome-in-Gel for Transcutaneous Quercetin Delivery for Psoriasis Treatment

“…For example, γ-cyclodextrin metal−organic frameworks can achieve 100-fold solubility enhancement of QT. 24 However, membrane permeation of the embedded drugs still relies on the concentration and partition coefficient of the released free molecules, which does not apply to the transdermal delivery of QT.…”

“…Recently, the CD-mediated molecular assembly pattern has been frequently explored in building multielement supramolecular assembly systems with superior stability and solubility to those of CD alone. For example, γ-cyclodextrin metal–organic frameworks can achieve 100-fold solubility enhancement of QT . However, membrane permeation of the embedded drugs still relies on the concentration and partition coefficient of the released free molecules, which does not apply to the transdermal delivery of QT.…”

Computational Study of Two Three-Dimensional Co(II)-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks as Quercetin Anticancer Drug Carriers

“…Despite having such multiple pharmaceutical benefits, the use of quercetin as a drug molecule in clinical studies is restricted because of low bioavailability as a result of its poor aqueous solubility. Nevertheless, many researchers managed to overcome these disadvantages and increase the therapeutic efficiency of quercetin and reduce the side effects and toxicity through various drug delivery systems. − …”