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Quercetin in Osteoporosis Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Its Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to provide a theoretical basis and insights for quercetin’s clinical application in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis (OP), analyzing its roles in bone formation promotion, bone resorption inhibition, anti-inflammation, antioxidant effects, and potential mechanisms.

Recent Findings

OP, a prevalent bone disorder, is marked by reduced bone mineral density and impaired bone architecture, elevating the risk of fractures in patients. The primary approach to OP management is pharmacotherapy, with quercetin, a phytochemical compound, emerging as a focus of recent interest. This natural flavonoid exerts regulatory effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts and promotes bone health and metabolic equilibrium via anti-inflammatory and antioxidative pathways.

Summary

Although quercetin has demonstrated significant potential in regulating bone metabolism, there is a need for further high-quality clinical studies focused on medicinal quercetin.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 82104730). The 72nd Batch of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M721065) and Central Plains Talent Program-Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talent Project (224200510027).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital of Encephalopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450099, China

    Yanchen Feng, Zixuan Lin & Feixiang Liu

  2. Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhong Jing) School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China

    Yanchen Feng, Xue Dang, Pan Zheng, Yali Liu, Diyan Liu, Zhiying Che & Jianping Yao

  3. College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China

    Ziyun Liao

  4. School of Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China

    Xingyuan Nie

  5. School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China

    Yunke Zhang

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Feng, Dang, and Liu wrote the main manuscript text. Feng and Liu prepared Fig. 1 and Table 1. Lin, Nie, and Liao conducted the literature search and collation. Zheng, Che, and Yao revised the manuscript text. Liu and Zhang provided the idea and funding. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Feixiang Liu or Yunke Zhang.

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Yanchen Feng and Xue Dang share the first authorship; both authors are involved equally in the manuscript.

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Feng, Y., Dang, X., Zheng, P. et al. Quercetin in Osteoporosis Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Its Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Curr Osteoporos Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-024-00868-0

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