The multi-target protective effects of quercetin in cerebrovascular diseases: a dietary strategy for endothelial repair and neuroprotection.
📄 Abstract
Cerebrovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke and vascular cognitive impairment, represent a significant global health challenge due to the paucity of effective treatment options. Quercetin, a dietary flavonol, has emerged as a promising multi-target neuroprotective compound. This review elucidates the core mechanisms by which quercetin achieves vascular repair and neuroprotection in cerebrovascular diseases through synergistic regulation of multiple signaling pathways and explores strategies to bridge the gap between dietary intake and clinical application. At the vascular level, quercetin enhances antioxidant defense by activating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 axis, inhibits the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB pathway and NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome, and maintains blood-brain barrier integrity by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-9 and upregulating tight junction proteins via the Wnt/