Han Wang,* Wenli Di,* Xibao Gao,* Yuanyuan Guo,* Tian Tang, Xue Bai, Hongqian Cao

Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Hongqian Cao; Xue Bai, Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China, Email hqcao@sdu.edu.cn; baixue1013@sdu.edu.cn

Abstract: Quercetin (Qu), a naturally occurring flavonoid with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, faces clinical limitations due to poor solubility, low stability, and suboptimal bioavailability. This review comprehensively explores nano-quercetin (nano-Qu) formulations as a transformative solution, focusing on material design, synthesis strategies, and biomedical applications. A comprehensive review of diverse nanocarriers, including lipid-based, inorganic, polymeric, and composite nanoparticles, is presented to systematically evaluate their potential in improving solubility, stability, and targeted drug delivery of Qu. Advanced synthesis techniques such as chemical conjugation, self-assembly, and physical encapsulation are evaluated for optimizing drug loading and controlled release. Preclinical studies highlight nano-Qu’s efficacy in cancer therapy, inflammatory disorders, metabolic diseases, and tissue regeneration, attributed to improved pharmacokinetics and target-specific mechanisms. Despite promising advancements, challenges in biocompatibility, long-term toxicity, and scalable production require further investigation. This work underscores the potential of nanotechnology to unlock Qu’s therapeutic versatility.

Keywords: quercetin, nanotechnology, materials, synthesis methods, biomedical applications