Quercetin as a possible cardiovascular agent

Abstract

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in the adult population in developed countries. In addition to the possibilities of pharmacological treatment, the positive (and negative) influence of diet and its components is well documented in many cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of chronic cardiovascular diseases. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vascular wall associated with disorders of lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, migration, and proliferation of smooth muscle cells of the vascular media, oxidative stress, and many other mechanisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases. An imbalance between the formation of ROS and the ability of antioxidant systems to eliminate them leads to oxidative stress. Inhibition of ROS generation and function is thought to be a potential therapy to attenuate the extent of various cardiovascular diseases. The results of several studies indicate that the cardioprotective effect of quercetin could be related to its antioxidant properties. In the presented chapter, we will discuss the possible effects of quercetin on the prevention and treatment of various mechanisms supporting atherogenesis and thus the development of cardiovascular diseases.