Interaction between quercetin and superoxide radicals. Reduction of the quercetin mutagenicity.

Abstract

Interaction between quercetin [widely distributed in edible plants] and superoxide radicals was investigated using xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and K superoxide as superoxide radical generators. Superoxide radical scavenging action of quercetin was demonstrated by measurement of the electron spin resonance spectrum of the 5-hydroperoxy-2,2-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxyl adduct. Degradation of quercetin by the radicals was demonstrated spectrophotometrically. Reduction of the quercetin mutagenicity by the radicals was demonstrated in the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 98 by the Ames test. [There is conflicting evidence of quercetin carcinogenicity].