Evidence Hub

Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approach

Franciane N Souza, N. S. Oliveira, H. D. de Lima, Abraão G. Silva, R. A. Cruz, F. R. Oliveira, L. Federico, L. I. Hage-Melim

Applied Sciences, 2025

1 citation

Abstract

Background: The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is strongly linked to damage to the cholinergic systems of the central nervous system (CNS), mainly due to the formation of β-amyloid peptide plaques, which trigger intense inflammatory responses and are currently the main cause of the symptoms of the disease. Among the therapeutic strategies under investigation, classes of natural products with immunomodulatory properties, action on the CNS, and potent antioxidant activity, which contribute to neuroprotection, stand out. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the flavonoid quercetin using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods for the treatment of AD. Initially, the compounds were selected, and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. The in vitro assays included tests of antioxidant activity (DPPH), enzymatic inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and prediction of oral toxicity. The in vivo studies investigated the effects on scopolamine-induced learning deficits and conducted histopathological analysis of the brain. Results: Quercetin showed structural stability in the complex with (AChE), with no significant alterations in the Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), SASA and radius of gyration (Rg) parameters. Through the same method it was possible to predict stability between the quercetin and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) complex, a possible mechanism for quercetin immunomodulation in the CNS. In the AChE inhibition test, the IC50 obtained for…

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free