From ... in Biology — Oct 14, 2021

Two New Studies Test Quercetin And COVID Outcomes

In an August 21, 2021, newsletter, Dr.Michael Murray discussed the use of quercetin for respiratory infection symptoms.In November 2020, hed suffered a very mild and brief bout of COVID-19.

9. He also recounts an anecdotal story of a friend who developed suspicious respiratory symptoms. His friend had been taking a number of supplements said to offer protection, but was still feeling awful. Two New Studies Test Quercetin And COVID Outcomes Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola Fact Checked Two recently published studies conrm quercetin is useful as an adjunct therapy in the early outpatient treatment of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection In one study, COVID patients who received quercetin in addition to analgesics and an antibiotic cleared the virus faster than those who only received analgesics and antibiotics, and a greater number of patients reported reduced symptoms In the second study, daily quercetin supplementation for one month reduced the frequency and length of hospitalization, the need for noninvasive oxygen therapy, intensive care and deaths Quercetin has antiviral, anti-blood clotting, anti-inammatory and antioxidant properties, all of which are important in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection Quercetin also inhibits binding of specic spike proteins to your ACE2 receptors, thereby blocking the virus ability to infect your cells. Its also been shown to directly neutralize viral proteins that are critical in the replication of SARSCoV2 1 As it turns out, the one thing hed not taken was quercetin, and as soon as he did, that same day, his symptoms started to dissipate. This experience, Murray says, is consistent with the results from two clinical trials that were recently published. Quercetin seems to be a safe, far less expensive, and easier-to-obtain and it works by a similar mechanism, driving zinc into the cells to stop viral replication. Statistical Improvement in Clinical Outcomes In the rst study, 42 COVID-19 outpatients were divided into two groups. One group of 21 patients received standard medical therapy consisting of analgesics and an antibiotic (acetaminophen 500-milligram (mg) to 1,000-mg dose if body temperature was higher than 37.5 degrees C 99.5 F with a maximum daily dosage of 3 grams, and 500 mg azithromycin for three consecutive days).

The other group of 21 patients received standard therapy plus the equivalent of 600 mg of quercetin per day (divided into three doses) for seven days, followed by another seven-day course of 400 mg of quercetin per day (divided into two doses).

The quercetin was used with sunower lecithin, which has been demonstrated to increase absorption in the gut by as much as 20 times, compared to pure quercetin formulations.

The main outcomes being evaluated were virus clearance and symptoms. After one week of treatment, 16 of the 21 patients in the quercetin group tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 and 12 reported that all symptoms had diminished. In the standard care group, only two tested negative and four had partially improved symptoms. By the end of Week 2, the ve remaining patients in the quercetin group tested negative. In the standard care group, 17 of the 19 remaining patients tested negative and one had died.

These results are impressive and hopefully additional studies will be conducted on hospitalized patients to see how quercetin might be helpful in more severe cases, 2 Murray wrote in his newsletter. Can Quercetin Reduce Hospitalizations and Deaths? The second study a prospective, randomized, controlled and open-label trial gave 152 COVID-19 outpatients a daily dose of 1,000 mg of quercetin for 30 days to evaluate its adjuvant effects in the treatment of early symptoms and the prevention of severe infection. According to the authors: The results revealed a reduction in frequency and length of hospitalization, in need of non-invasive oxygen therapy, in progression to intensive care units and in number of deaths.

The results also conrmed the very high safety prole of quercetin and suggested possible anti-fatigue and pro-appetite properties. QP (Quercetin Phytosome) is a safe agent and in combination with standard care, when used in early stage of viral infection, could aid in improving the early symptoms and help in preventing the severity of COVID-19 disease. It is suggested that a double-blind, placebo-controlled study should be urgently carried out to conrm the results of our study. Mechanisms of Action As noted in the rst study above, quercetin was chosen based on the fact that it has antiviral, anti-blood clotting, anti-inammatory and antioxidant properties, all of which are important in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the second study, more detailed mechanisms of action are reviewed. According to the authors: SARS-CoV-2 proteases, like 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like pro-tease (PLpro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, spike (S)protein and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) are considered possible targets for developing effective anti-COVID-19 drugs. Recently, molecular docking studies have suggested the possible binding interaction of quercetin with the 3CLpro, PLpro, and S-hACE2 complex. Some 3 4 5 recent results, obtained by biophysical techniques, appear to support the results of the molecular docking studies. Quercetin, a avonol not naturally present in the human body, is the most abundant polyphenol in fruits and vegetable and is widely used as a dietary supplement to boost the immune system and promote a healthy lifestyle. Quercetin is characterized by three crucial properties: antioxidant, anti- inammatory and immunomodulatory.

The combination of these actions allows quercetin to be a potential candidate to support all unhealthy conditions where oxidative stress, inammation and immunity are involved. Initially, quercetin gained attention because its a zinc ionophore, meaning it shuttles zinc which has well-known antiviral effects into your cells just like the drug hydroxychloroquine. In particular, quercetin exerts significant inhibition on the binding of specific spike proteins to ACE-2 receptors, thereby blocking the ability of the virus to infect human cells. Quercetin has also been shown to directly neutralize viral proteins the are critical in the replication of SARS-CoV-2. ~ Dr. Michael Murray Some proposed the primary reason hydroxychloroquine and quercetin worked was because of this feature. Of course, you also had to take zinc along with either of them. To effectively act as a zinc ionophore, the quercetin also needs vitamin C. Since then, other studies, including the two reviewed here, have shown quercetin has other actions that makes it useful against SARS-CoV-2 as well. As reported by Murray in his newsletter: In particular, quercetin exerts signicant inhibition on the binding of specic spike proteins to ACE-2 receptors, thereby blocking the ability of the virus to infect human cells. Quercetin has also been shown to directly neutralize viral proteins the are critical in the replication of SARS-CoV-2. In some studies, quercetin has also been shown to inhibit the release of inammatory cytokines, which could help alleviate infection-related symptoms and suppress excessive inammatory responses from occurring. Its antioxidant effects may also help prevent tissue damage caused by scavenging free radicals, thereby aiding in the recovery process of viral infections. Quercetins Antiviral Properties Quercetins antiviral properties have been attributed to three main mechanisms of action: 1. Inhibiting the virus ability to infect cells 2. Inhibiting replication of already infected cells 3. Reducing infected cells resistance to treatment with antiviral medication For example, research funded by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), published in 2008, found it lowers your risk of viral illness such as inuenza and boosts mental performance following extreme physical stress, which might otherwise undermine your immune function and render you more susceptible to infections. Here, cyclists who received a daily dose of 1,000 mg of quercetin in combination with vitamin C (which enhances plasma quercetin levels ) and niacin (to improve absorption) for ve weeks were signicantly less likely to contract a viral illness after bicycling three hours a day for three consecutive days, compared to untreated controls. While 45% of the placebo group got sick, only 5% of the treatment group did. Quercetin Works Against Many Common Viruses 6 7 8,9 Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, several studies had highlighted quercetins ability to prevent and treat the common cold and seasonal inuenza. By attenuating oxidative damage, it also lowers your risk of secondary bacterial infections, which is actually the primary cause of inuenza-related deaths. Importantly, quercetin increases mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle, which suggests part of its antiviral effects are due to enhanced mitochondrial antiviral signaling. Quercetin also works against other viruses, as demonstrated in the following studies: A 1985 study found quercetin inhibits infectivity and replication of herpes simplex virus type 1, polio-virus type 1, parainuenza virus type 3 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A 2016 animal study found quercetin inhibited mouse dengue virus and hepatitis virus. Other studies have conrmed quercetins power to inhibit both hepatitis B and C infection. A March 2020 study found quercetin provides comprehensive protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, both in vitro and in vivo, primarily by neutralizing pneumolysin (PLY), one of the toxins released from pneumococci that encourages S. pneumoniae infection to blossom in the rst place. Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible not only for pneumonia, but can also be involved in some ear and sinus infections, meningitis and certain blood infections. As reported by the authors of this study: The results indicated that quercetin signicantly reduced PLY-induced hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity via repressing the formation of oligomers. In addition, treatment with quercetin can reduce PLY-mediated cell injury, improve the survival rate of mice infected with a lethal dose of S. 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 pneumoniae, alleviate the pathological damage of lung tissue and inhibit the release of cytokines (IL-1 and TNF-) in bronchoalveolar lavage uid. Considering the importance of these events in antimicrobial resistant S. pneumoniae pathogenesis, our results indicated that quercetin may be a novel potential drug candidate for the treatment of clinical pneumococcal infections. How Quercetin Combats Inammation and Boosts Immunity Aside from its antiviral activity, quercetin is also known for boosting immunity and combating inammation. As noted in a 2016 study in the journal Nutrients, mechanisms of action include (but is not limited to) the inhibition of: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) production in macrophages. TNF- is a cytokine involved in systemic inammation, secreted by activated macrophages, a type of immune cell that digests foreign substances, microbes and other harmful or damaged components LPS-induced mRNA levels of TNF- and interleukin (IL)-1 in glial cells, which results in diminished apoptotic neuronal cell death The production of inammation-producing enzymes Calcium inux into the cell, which in turn inhibits pro-inammatory cytokine release, as well as histamine and serotonin release from intestinal mast cells According to this paper, quercetin also stabilizes mast cells, has cytoprotective activity in the gastrointestinal tract, and a direct regulatory effect on basic functional properties of immune cells, which allows it to inhibit a huge panoply of molecular targets in the micromolar concentration range, either by down-regulating or suppressing many inammatory pathways and functions. Bioavailability 29 30 31 32 While quercetin does have potent antiviral effects, in order for it to work effectively you need suciently high dosages to raise the level of quercetin in your bodys tissues.

The relatively low absorption rate of quercetin is why a sunower lecithin formulation was used. Research published in the July-December 2021 issue of the Journal of Natural Health Products Research, found a quercertin matrix has the same total absorption rate as quercetin phytosome and higher peak blood levels. Since both of these forms of quercetin produce similar blood levels, they should produce the same effects at equal dosages based upon quercetin content, Murray wrote in his newsletter, adding: My dosage recommendation as part of a nutritional supplement program to support immune function is 250 mg twice daily. And in patients with active Infection, my recommendation is six capsules twice a day providing a total of 3,000 mg of quercetin. This high dosage should be taken for at least 10 days and then reduced to a maintenance dosage of 250 mg twice daily [This] high dosage may not be necessary. But my dosage calculations are based upon likely tissue concentrations needed to exert the strongest antiviral effects. And given the safety of quercetin, there is no harm at this level. Protocol Using Quercetin One doctor who early brought quercetin into the limelight was Dr. Vladimir Zelenko. As hydroxychloroquine became dicult to obtain, Zelenko switched to recommending quercetin instead, as its readily available as an over-the-counter supplement. For a downloadable cheat sheet of Zelenkos protocol for COVID-19, visit VladimirZelenkoMD.com. Other Health Benets of Quercetin 33 There are also other lesser known benets and uses for quercetin, including the prevention and/or treatment of: High blood pressure Cardiovascular disease Obesity and metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglyceride levels and fat accumulation around the waist that raise your risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke) Certain kinds of cancer, in particular leukemia, and to a lesser degree breast cancer Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Gout Arthritis Mood disorders Aluminum-induced neurodegenerative changes, such as those seen in Alzheimers, Parkinsons and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Longevity, thanks to its senolytic benets (clearing out damaged and worn-out cells) Research has also highlighted quercetins epigenetic inuence and ability to: Interact with cell-signaling pathways Modulate gene expression Inuence the activity of transcription factors Modulate microRNAs 34 35,36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46,47 48 MicroRNAs used to be considered "junk" DNA. But far from being useless, research has revealed so-called "junk" DNA is actually microRNA and plays a crucial role in regulating genes that make the proteins that build your body.

The microRNA function as "on/off" switches for the genes. Depending on the microRNA input, a single gene can code for any of more than 200 protein products. Quercetins ability to module microRNA may also help explain its cytotoxic effects, and why it appears to improve cancer survival (at least in mice). Sources and References Drmurray.com International Journal of General Medicine June 2021; 14: 2807-2816 International Journal of General Medicine June 8, 2021; 14: 2359-2366 International Journal of General Medicine June 8, 2021; 14: 2359-2366 (Full) Journal of Natural Health Product Research July-December 2021; 3(2) Rationale for Quercetin as a Potential Supplement to Increase Resistance to COVID American Journal of Physiology August 1, 2008 Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2011 Apr;111(4):542-9 Journal of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine May 24, 2014; 2: 111 Antiviral Research June 2012; 94(3): 258-271 Journal of Ancient Diseases & Preventive Remedies 2014 Viruses 2016 8(1), 6 European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences June 28, 2009; 37(3-4): 329-333 Antiviral Research 2010 Nov;88(2):227-35 Experimental Lung Research 2005; 31(5) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2016; 64(21): 4416-4425 Viruses 2016 Jan; 8(1): 6 Journal of Medical Virology January 1985 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890150110 Asian Pacic Journal of Tropical Medicine January 2016; 9(1): 1-7 Virologica Sinica August 2015; 30(4): 261-268 Hepatology 2009 Dec;50(6):1756-64 Microbial Pathogenesis March 2020; 140: 103934 Clinical & Experimental Immunology November 2004; 138(2): 195-201 CDC Pneumococcal Disease Nutrients 2016 Mar; 8(3): 167, 5.2.1 Animal Models Nutrients 2016 Mar; 8(3): 167, 5.1.2 Mechanism of Action Nutrients 2016 Mar; 8(3): 167, Table 1: Mast cell Journal of Natural Health Product Research July-December 2021; 3(2) Genetic Lifehacks December 17, 2019 1 2, 4 3 5 6 7 8 9, 10, 19, 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25, 28 26 27 29 30, 32 31 33 34 J Am Heart Assoc. 2016 Jul 12;5(7). pii: e002713 Nutrition Reviews January 6, 2020 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz071 Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Dec 3;20(23). pii: E6093 Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 Sep;16(9):2081-7 Phytotherapy Research March 8, 2019; 33(5) Scientic Reports April 12, 2016; 6 Article Number: 24049 Phytotherapy Research August 26, 2019 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6486 Br J Nutr. 2016 Mar 14;115(5):800-6 J Am Coll Nutr. 2017 Jan;36(1):9-15 Fitoterapia 2015 Oct;106:256-71 Neuroscience 2016 Jun 2;324:163-76 EBioMedicine. 2019 Sep;47:446-456 BMB Rep. 2019;52(1):4755 Molecules 2019 Dec 23;25(1). pii: E63 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 .

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