Quercitrin

Quercitrin is not quercetin. It is the 3-O-rhamnoside glycoside of quercetin: a flavonol core linked to the deoxy sugar L-rhamnose.

Quick reference

Identity and chemistry

Quercitrin is a glycoside formed from the flavonoid quercetin and L-rhamnose. Glycosylation changes quercetin’s physicochemical properties, including polarity, solubility, intestinal metabolism, and likely tissue distribution. It should therefore be treated as a distinct compound rather than assumed to have the same pharmacology as quercetin.

The enzyme quercitrinase catalyzes hydrolysis of quercitrin to quercetin and L-rhamnose. This reaction is relevant to metabolism because intestinal microorganisms may transform quercitrin before or alongside absorption; the resulting metabolites can contribute to biological effects.

Austrian chemist Heinrich Hlasiwetz (1825–1875) is remembered for his chemical analysis of quercitrin.

Natural occurrence

Quercitrin is a constituent of the yellow dye quercitron. Reported plant sources include:

• Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum)
• North American white oak (Quercus alba)
• English oak (Quercus robur)
• White water lily (Nymphaea odorata)
• Taxillus kaempferi

The amount present can vary substantially with species, plant part, season, growing conditions, extraction method, and analytical procedure.

Pharmacology and therapeutic research

The studies below suggest a broad range of preclinical activities. Much of the evidence comes from cell cultures or animal models; these findings do not establish clinical efficacy, human dosing, or safety.

Antioxidant and cytoprotective activity

Quercitrin has been investigated for reduction of oxidative stress, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and activation of cellular antioxidant defenses. Reported mechanisms include modulation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and suppression of oxidative-damage signaling. The antioxidant profile may depend on concentration, formulation, metabolism, and experimental model.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity

In cellular and animal models, quercitrin has been associated with reduced inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, including modulation of NF-κB, MAPK, and related pathways. Effects have been studied in colitis, allergic inflammation, contact hypersensitivity, liver injury, and autoimmune-like disease models.

Antibacterial activity

Quercitrin has been reported to inhibit Sortase A, a bacterial enzyme involved in surface-protein anchoring and adhesion, thereby interfering with Staphylococcus aureus adhesion. This represents a potential anti-virulence mechanism rather than proof that quercitrin functions as a conventional antibiotic.

Gastrointestinal and colitis models

Animal studies have examined effects on experimental colitis, bacterial translocation, vascular protection, and lactose-induced chronic diarrhea. Possible mechanisms include preservation of barrier function, reduction of inflammation, modulation of nitric oxide signaling, and antioxidant activity.

Metabolic, hepatic, and cardiovascular research

Preclinical studies report effects on glucose homeostasis and antioxidant status in diabetic rats, as well as reduced hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ovariectomized mice. Other work has examined platelet activation, arterial thrombosis, endothelial progenitor-cell protection, and pharmacokinetics after administration of plant extracts.

Neuroprotective and behavioral research

Quercitrin has shown protective effects against experimental brain injury in mice, associated with inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation. Anxiolytic-like effects have also been reported, with proposed involvement of 5-HT1A receptors and monoaminergic signaling. These findings remain preliminary and should not be interpreted as evidence for treatment of anxiety or neurological disease in humans.

Bone, cartilage, periodontal, and hair research

Studies have investigated quercitrin in osteoporosis, osteoblast oxidative injury, osteoarthritis, periodontal regeneration, and hair growth. Proposed mechanisms include regulation of MAPK signaling, protection of osteoblasts, reduction of cartilage-matrix degradation, support of gingival fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells, and activation of MAPK/CREB-associated growth-factor expression.

Skin and photoprotection

Cell, zebrafish, and mouse studies have examined protection against UVB-associated oxidative damage and cell death. Additional work has evaluated quercitrin in contact-hypersensitivity skin lesions. These results do not establish that oral or topical quercitrin provides reliable sunscreen or dermatological protection.

Anticancer and antiparasitic research

Quercitrin has been studied in non-small-cell lung cancer and colon-cancer cell models, where apoptosis-related mechanisms have been reported. Antileishmanial activity has also been described for quercitrin isolated from Kalanchoe pinnata. Cell-line and preliminary antiparasitic findings require confirmation in rigorous animal and clinical studies.

Tissue state relevance

Quercitrin maps most strongly to Heat/Excitation, with secondary relevance to Wind/Tension and supportive relevance to Damp/Stagnation.

Because the search results only returned information on quercetin and isoquercitrin (the aglycone and a closely related glycoside), the tissue‑state mapping below is based on direct quercetin pharmacology and inference from the quercetin → quercitrin → isoquercitrin flavonoid family.

Quercitrin behaves pharmacologically like quercetin but with milder potency and better stability, so the tissue‑state relevance follows the same pattern.

🔥 Heat / Excitation — Primary relevance

Quercitrin strongly reduces inflammatory “heat.”

Grounded mechanisms (from quercetin):

• Quercetin inhibits NF‑κB, reducing IL‑6, IL‑1β, TNF‑α, and other inflammatory cytokines ScienceDirect.
• It acts as a potent antioxidant, reducing ROS‑driven inflammatory excitation ScienceDirect.
• It modulates inflammatory signaling in multiple tissues, making it a broad anti‑excitation agent.

Inference for quercitrin:

Quercitrin converts to quercetin in vivo, so it shares these anti‑inflammatory, anti‑excitation effects.

Tissue‑state interpretation:

Quercitrin cools tissues stuck in inflammatory overactivation—autoimmune flare, cytokine excess, oxidative inflammatory loops, red/swollen/hot patterns.

🌬️ Wind / Tension — Secondary relevance

Quercitrin modulates oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling that drive tension patterns.

Grounded mechanisms (from quercetin):

• Quercetin acts as a signal modulator, influencing MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and other stress‑response pathways that regulate cellular tension and excitability ScienceDirect.
• It reduces neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, stabilizing excitatory neural loops (inferred from quercetin’s broad anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant activity).

Inference for quercitrin:

Quercitrin’s antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory actions reduce oxidative rigidity and neuroimmune tension.

Tissue‑state interpretation:

Useful where tissues are tight, reactive, proliferative, or undergoing oxidative/neuroimmune tension.

💧 Damp / Stagnation — Supportive relevance

Quercitrin reduces inflammatory stagnation and supports microcirculatory repair.

Grounded mechanisms (from isoquercitrin):

• Isoquercitrin shows strong anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant activity, reducing metabolic and inflammatory stagnation ScienceDirect.
• Quercetin improves endothelial function and reduces oxidative congestion (inferred from antioxidant signaling).

Inference for quercitrin:

As a quercetin glycoside, quercitrin supports clearing damp‑heat stagnation, inflammatory edema, and metabolic congestion.

❄️ Cold / Depression — Not relevant

Quercitrin does not treat cold/depressed tissue states.

Why:

• Its actions are suppressive (NF‑κB/MAPK inhibition) and antioxidant, not warming or restorative.
• No evidence suggests benefit for collapse, atrophy, or low‑vitality patterns.

⭐ Tissue‑State Summary Table

Safety and interpretation

• The evidence summarized here is predominantly in vitro or animal-based; human clinical evidence appears limited.
• Biological activity should not be equated with therapeutic effectiveness.
• Extract studies may contain multiple constituents, so their results cannot automatically be attributed to purified quercitrin.
• Pharmacokinetics, intestinal metabolism, bioavailability, drug interactions, reproductive safety, and long-term toxicity require careful evaluation.
• Concentrated preparations should be approached cautiously, especially during pregnancy or lactation, in children, with liver or kidney disease, or when taking anticoagulant, antiplatelet, glucose-lowering, or other prescription medicines.
• This note is for research and educational purposes, not medical diagnosis or treatment.

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics

Quercitrin may be hydrolyzed by intestinal flora to quercetin and L-rhamnose, followed by further microbial and host metabolism. Pharmacokinetic findings can differ according to whether purified quercitrin or a complex botanical extract is administered, and according to the health status of the animal model. Human pharmacokinetic and dose–response data are needed before therapeutic claims can be made.

Articles and studies

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics

• Analysis of metabolites of quercitrin in rat intestinal flora by using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS
• Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Gallic Acid, Protocatechuic Acid, and Quercitrin in Normal and Pyelonephritis Rats after Oral Administration of a Polygonum capitatum Extract
• Comparative pharmacokinetics of quercitrin, astragalin, afzelin and taxifolin in plasma after oral administration of Polygonum orientale inflorescence in sham-operated and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats

Allergic and immune models

• Quercetin improves the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells and Treg/Th17 cells to attenuate allergic rhinitis
• Quercitrin ameliorates the development of systemic lupus erythematosus-like disease in a chronic graft-versus-host murine model
• Quercitrin, the Main Compound in Wikstroemia indica, Mitigates Skin Lesions in a Mouse Model of 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Contact Hypersensitivity

Antibacterial

• Quercitrin, an inhibitor of Sortase A, interferes with the adhesion of Staphylococcal aureus

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

• Quercetin and Quercitrin Attenuates the Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Cells: In Vitro Assessment and a Theoretical Model
• Quercetin and quercitrin protect against cytokine-induced injuries in RINm5F beta-cells via the mitochondrial pathway and NF-kappaB signaling
• Comparison of the Antioxidant Effects of Quercitrin and Isoquercitrin: Understanding the Role of the 6\"-OH Group
• Quercitrin, a glycoside form of quercetin, prevents lipid peroxidation in vitro
• Inhibition of AP-1 and MAPK signaling and activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway by quercitrin

Anxiety and neuroprotection

• Involvement of 5-HT1A Receptors in the Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Quercitrin and Evidence of the Involvement of the Monoaminergic System
• Quercitrin offers protection against brain injury in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation
• Quercitrin and quercetin 3-beta-d-glucoside as chemical chaperones for the A4V SOD1 ALS-causing mutant

Cancer and antiparasitic research

• Molecular mechanisms of quercitrin-induced apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer
• Apoptotic Effects of Quercitrin on DLD-1 Colon Cancer Cell Line
• Quercitrin: an antileishmanial flavonoid glycoside from Kalanchoe pinnata

Cardiovascular and vascular research

• Quercitrin inhibits platelet activation in arterial thrombosis
• Quercitrin treatment protects endothelial progenitor cells from oxidative damage via inducing autophagy through extracellular signal-regulated kinase
• Dietary compound quercitrin dampens VEGF induction and PPARgamma activation in oxidized LDL-exposed murine macrophages: association with scavenger receptor CD36

Colitis and gastrointestinal research

• Effects of quercitrin on bacterial translocation in a rat model of experimental colitis
• Protective vascular effects of quercitrin in acute TNBS-colitis in rats: the role of nitric oxide
• Effect of quercitrin on lactose-induced chronic diarrhoea in rats

Diabetes and liver research

• Quercitrin, a bioflavonoid improves glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic tissues by altering glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes
• Quercitrin a bioflavonoid improves the antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat tissues
• Quercitrin Ameliorates Hyperlipidemia and Hepatic Steatosis in Ovariectomized Mice
• Quercitrin from Toona sinensis (Juss.) M.Roem. Attenuates Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Toxicity in HepG2 Cells and Mice through Induction of Antioxidant Machinery and Inhibition of Inflammation

Bone, cartilage, periodontal, and hair research

• Quercitrin Stimulates Hair Growth with Enhanced Expression of Growth Factors via Activation of MAPK/CREB Signaling Pathway
• Quercitrin alleviates cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and delays ACLT rat osteoarthritis development: An in vivo and in vitro study
• Quercitrin attenuates osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways
• Protective effect of quercitrin against hydrogen peroxide-induced dysfunction in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells
• Identification of quercitrin as a potential therapeutic agent for periodontal applications
• Quercitrin for periodontal regeneration: effects on human gingival fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells

UVB and skin protection

• Quercitrin protects skin from UVB-induced oxidative damage
• Quercitrin protects against ultraviolet B-induced cell death in vitro and in an in vivo zebrafish model