Quercetin in prostate cancer: Chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive effects, mechanisms and clinical application potential (Review)

Abstract

The morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer have been increasing recently, and the comprehensive treatment for prostate cancer is unable to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid compound that has attracted increased interest and attention due to its anticancer activity. In vitro and in vivo studies have verified that quercetin effectively inhibits prostate cancer via various mechanisms. Clinical trails concerning the pharmacokinetics and application of quercetin in humans have also obtained promising results. Meanwhile, epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a negative association between quercetin intake and prostate cancer incidence and have suggested a chemopreventive effect of quercetin on prostate cancer that has been exhibited in animal experiments. The main issue concerning quercetin utilization is its low bioavailability. Therefore, solutions to the issues concerning its use such as alteration of the molecular structure and combination therapy are in the exploratory stage. In the present review, the most important aspects of chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive effects, mechanisms and clinical application potential of quercetin in prostate cancer are summarized.

Overviews of biological importance of quercetin: A bioactive flavonoid

“…[4546] Both in vitro and in vivo cancer studies, quercetin was said to have a beneficial effect against prostate cancer. [47]…”

Biosynthesis of amino deoxy-sugar-conjugated flavonol glycosides by engineered Escherichia coli

“…Numerous in vivo animal experiments and in vitro studies exhibited wide range of pharmacological activities of quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosides [42][43][44][45]. The main issue concerning utilization of these flavonols is low bioavailability and stability.…”

Prospect of natural products in glioma: A novel avenue in glioma management

“…Moreover, several studies have shown the effectiveness of different novel natural compounds against different cancers. Quercetin was effective against prostate cancer by blocking several key survival pathways (Yang et al, ). Curcumin, a well‐known constituent of turmeric, is being evaluated for its effectiveness against several cancers including brain cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer (Ravindran, Prasad, & Aggarwal, ).…”

“…Researchers also explored microbes and the marine organism as a source of natural compounds (Discovery, ). Nature‐derived compounds have various pharmacological activities including antiangiogenic (Sulaiman, Basavarajappa, & Corson, ), antiprotozoal (Jones, Grkovic, Sykes, & Avery, ; Singh, Mishra, Bajpai, Singh, & Tiwari, ), antiatherosclerotic (Orekhov, Sobenin, Revin, & Bobryshev, ), antimicrobial (Farha & Brown, ; Genilloud, ), anti‐obesity (Fu, Jiang, Guo, & Su, ), antioxidant (Fiedor & Burda, ), antidiabetic (Nazaruk & Borzym‐Kluczyk, ), hepatoprotective (Madrigal‐Santillán, ), anti‐inflammatory (Arulselvan et al, ), neuroprotective (Ebrahimi & Schluesener, ; Essa et al, ), and chemotherapeutic (Amin et al, ; Sznarkowska, Kostecka, Meller, & Bielawski, ; Yang et al, ) effects.…”