Basic research on quercetin in liver cancer: Progress and perspectives

Abstract

Quercetin is a natural plant flavonoid that has various biological properties. It is widely found in many fruits, vegetables, and Chinese herbs. Accumulating studies have demonstrated its significant inhibitory effects on liver cancer progression, mainly by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, combination therapies incorporating quercetin have been shown to reduce multidrug resistance and potentiate anticancer efficacy. However, the clinical application of quercetin remains challenging due to its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability. Current research efforts are primarily directed toward developing nano-delivery systems to overcome these pharmacological limitations. Before clinical implementation, systematic safety evaluations must be conducted to ensure therapeutic feasibility. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in quercetin-based liver cancer therapeutics, including mechanistic studies, clinical trial developments, nano-delivery system innovations, and safety assessments, and the related mechanisms of quercetin in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine are summarized, aiming to provide the theoretical basis for the subsequent in-depth mechanism research and clinical development and application.