Research Progress on the Mechanism of Quercetin against Cervical Cancer

doi:10.12280/gjfckx.20250453

Abstract

Abstract:

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound extracted from Chinese herbal medicine. It is widely distributed and has good therapeutic effects on both benign and malignant tumors. The mechanisms of quercetin against cervical cancer include: inhibiting cell proliferation by suppressing transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1); inhibiting cell invasion and migration by down-regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9); promoting cell apoptosis by promoting oxidative stress, activating the p53 gene, activating endoplasmic reticulum stress, and activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); increasing radiosensitivity by arresting the cell cycle and down-regulating the ratio of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax); increasing chemosensitivity by regulating the expression of apoptotic factors; and exerting anti-cervical cancer effects by interfering with signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), Wnt/β-catenin, and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Quercetin has broad application prospects in the field of cervical cancer treatment. However, the clinical application of quercetin is still limited by poor water solubility and low bioavailability. In the future, in-depth exploration is needed at multiple levels from basic research to clinical application to clarify the dose-response relationship and standardize the medication regimen, aiming to provide more effective strategies for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Key words: Quercetin, Uterine cervical neoplasms, Cell proliferation, Neoplasm invasiveness, Therapy

ZHANG Li-qian, WANG Yu, GAO Yue, BAI Yu-xin, FAN Rui-rui, XIE Jiu-mei, WU Xiao-ke. Research Progress on the Mechanism of Quercetin against Cervical Cancer[J]. Journal of International Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2025, 52(4): 425-430.

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