Advances and Perspectives on the Anti-Fibrotic Mechanisms of the Quercetin.

Abstract

Fibrosis is a pathological process that affects multiple tissues and organs and a significant contributor to mortality, particularly in developed countries. Dietary flavonoids, especially quercetin (QUR), have emerged as key bioactive compounds with protective effects on vital organs such as the liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys. As a prominent focus in natural product research, QUR exhibits diverse anti-fibrotic mechanisms across various fibrotic conditions, including modulation of the TGF-[Formula: see text], NF-[Formula: see text]B, Nrf2, and AREG/EGFR signaling pathways. This review consolidates current knowledge on QUR and its derivatives, covering their anti-fibrotic mechanisms, drug interactions, pharmacokinetics, safety, and toxicological profiles. It offers insights for developing novel QUR-based formulations. Our findings highlight QUR's potential, which is supported by substantial evidence, as a natural therapeutic agent in functional foods and dietary supplements that target fibrosis. However, further high-quality studies are essential to validate its safety, optimize formulation stability, and confirm clinical efficacy in order to ultimately expand its therapeutic applications.