Higher plasma quercetin levels following oral administration of an onion skin extract compared with pure quercetin dihydrate in humans.

PURPOSE: To investigate the plasma kinetics of quercetin derived from hard capsules filled with onion skin extract powder or quercetin dihydrate in humans. METHODS: In a randomized, single-blind, diet-controlled crossover study, 12 healthy subjects (six men and six women) aged 21-33 years were administered a single oral supra-nutritional dose of approximately 163 mg quercetin derived from onion skin extract powder (containing 95.3 % of total flavonoids as quercetin aglycone) or quercetin dihydrate (134 mg quercetin aglycone equivalent). Blood samples were collected before and during a 24-h period after quercetin administration. The concentrations of quercetin and its two monomethylated derivatives, isorhamnetin (3'-O-methyl quercetin), and tamarixetin (4'-O-methyl quercetin), were measured using HPLC with fluorescence detection after plasma enzymatic treatment. RESULTS: The systemic availability, determined by comparing the plasma concentration-time curves of quercetin, was 4.8 times higher, and the maximum plasma concentration (C max) was 5.4 times higher after ingestion of the onion skin extract than after ingestion of pure quercetin dihydrate. By contrast, t max did not differ significantly between the two formulations. The C max values for isorhamnetin and tamarixetin were 3.8 and 4.4 times higher, respectively, after administration of onion skin extract than after pure quercetin dihydrate. The plasma kinetics of quercetin were not significantly different in men and women. CONCLUSION: Quercetin aglycone derived from onion skin extract powder is significantly more bioavailable than that from quercetin dihydrate powder filled hard capsules.

Acute intake of quercetin from onion skin extract does not influence postprandial blood pressure and endothelial function in overweight-to-obese adults with hypertension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

PURPOSE: To determine whether postprandial metabolic and vascular responses induced by a high-fat and high-carbohydrate meal are attenuated by ingestion of the flavonol quercetin. METHODS: Twenty-two overweight-to-obese hypertensive patients participated in a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover meal study. They consumed a test meal (challenge) rich in energy (4754 kJ), fat (61.6 g), saturated fatty acids (53 % of total fatty acids), and carbohydrates (113.3 g) with either placebo or 54 mg quercetin. Blood pressure, reactive hyperemia index (RHI), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble endothelial-derived adhesion molecules, parameters of lipid and glucose metabolism, and markers of antioxidant status were measured before the meal and at 2 and 4 h postprandially. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly over time, but were not affected by treatment (placebo or quercetin). During both treatments, serum endothelin-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine slightly decreased over time, whereas RHI increased. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and insulin significantly increased, whereas HDL cholesterol and glucose significantly decreased over time, again with no effect of treatment. Plasma α-tocopherol significantly increased, and plasma Trolox equivalent antioxidative capacity decreased over time. Serum hs-CRP, plasma retinol, and ß-carotene did not significantly change during the trial. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patients, a high-energy meal did not lead to postprandial impairment of vascular endothelial function. Postprandial metabolic responses induced by the challenge, such as lipemia and insulinemia, were not attenuated by the concomitant ingestion of quercetin. CLINICAL TRIAL: This trial was registered at www.germanctr.de/ and http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/ as DRKS00000555.

No effects of quercetin from onion skin extract on serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations in overweight-to-obese patients with (pre-)hypertension: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

PURPOSE: Chronic low-level systemic and adipose tissue inflammation has been identified as a major etiologic factor in many chronic diseases, including hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Evidence from experimental studies suggests anti-inflammatory effects of dietary flavonols such as quercetin. METHODS: We investigated the effects of regular intake of quercetin on leptin, adiponectin, biomarkers of inflammation, glucose and insulin in overweight-to-obese patients with pre- and stage 1 hypertension. Another objective was to assess the safety of daily quercetin supplementation measured by parameters of liver and kidney function and of hematology. Subjects (n = 70) were randomized to receive a supra-nutritional dose of 162 mg/d quercetin or placebo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 6-week treatment periods separated by a 6-week washout period. Two subjects dropped out for personal reasons. Only data from the remaining 68 subjects were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, quercetin did not significantly affect serum concentrations of leptin and adiponectin, HOMA-AD or the ratios of leptin/adiponectin and adiponectin/leptin. Neither quercetin nor placebo significantly changed serum C-reactive protein and plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha. Compared to placebo, quercetin did not significantly affect glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, blood biomarkers of liver and renal function, hematology and serum electrolytes. CONCLUSION: A supra-nutritional dose of 162 mg/d quercetin from onion skin extract for 6 weeks is safe but without significant effects on parameters of systemic and adipose tissue inflammation as well as glucose and insulin in overweight-to-obese subjects with (pre-)hypertension. This trial was registered at www.germanctr.de/ and http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/ as DRKS00000555.

Effects of a quercetin-rich onion skin extract on 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and endothelial function in overweight-to-obese patients with (pre-)hypertension: a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over trial.

The polyphenol quercetin may prevent CVD due to its antihypertensive and vasorelaxant properties. We investigated the effects of quercetin after regular intake on blood pressure (BP) in overweight-to-obese patients with pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension. In addition, the potential mechanisms responsible for the hypothesised effect of quercetin on BP were explored. Subjects (n 70) were randomised to receive 162 mg/d quercetin from onion skin extract powder or placebo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over trial with 6-week treatment periods separated by a 6-week washout period. Before and after the intervention, ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and office BP were measured; urine and blood samples were collected; and endothelial function was measured by EndoPAT technology. In the total group, quercetin did not significantly affect 24 h ABP parameters and office BP. In the subgroup of hypertensives, quercetin decreased 24 h systolic BP by -3·6 mmHg (P=0·022) when compared with placebo (mean treatment difference, -3·9 mmHg; P=0·049). In addition, quercetin significantly decreased day-time and night-time systolic BP in hypertensives, but without a significant effect in inter-group comparison. In the total group and also in the subgroup of hypertensives, vasoactive biomarkers including endothelin-1, soluble endothelial-derived adhesion molecules, asymmetric dimethylarginine, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, endothelial function, parameters of oxidation, inflammation, lipid and glucose metabolism were not affected by quercetin. In conclusion, supplementation with 162 mg/d quercetin from onion skin extract lowers ABP in patients with hypertension, suggesting a cardioprotective effect of quercetin. The mechanisms responsible for the BP-lowering effect remain unclear.