Effect of the Flavonol Quercetin on Human Platelet Function: A Review

Quercetin (Que) is one of the most abundant and potent naturally occurring antioxidant. Que has been shown to exert many biological activities, including antiplatelet activity. Indeed, Que was shown to inhibit platelet aggregation in response to platelet agonists, such as ADP, collagen, thrombin and arachidonic acid. However, the lowest Que concentration that significantly inhibits agonist-induced platelet aggregation remains contradictory. In addition, to anti-aggregatory effects, Que was demonstrated to inhibit platelet dense and alpha granule exocytosis when stimulated by different platelet agonists. Que was also shown to inhibit multiple platelet protein kinases, including, PI3K, Akt, PLC and PKC. The main aim of this review focuses on the inhibitory effects of Que on human platelet function.