Potential application of quercetin as an anti-diabetic treatment: From molecular mechanism to delivery system design

Quercetin, a natural flavonoid, has demonstrated protective effects against diabetes. Nevertheless, its poor aqueous solubility and chemical instability significantly hinder its clinical application. Nanoencapsulation strategies have emerged as promising approaches to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of quercetin, attracting increasing attention in the field of diabetes management.

This review critically discussed the anti-diabetic effects of quercetin, highlighting both the challenges of using quercetin as an anti-diabetic nutraceutical and the promising potential of nanoencapsulation techniques to enhance its therapeutic efficacy.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, employing targeted keywords related to quercetin, diabetes, and nanoparticles. The analysis primarily focused on articles published from the inception of each database through February 2025.

Various nanoparticle carriers, such as lipid-based, polymer-based, and inorganic nanoparticles, had been utilized for the delivery of quercetin. These nanoformulations markedly improved the stability, aqueous solubility, and cellular absorption of quercetin. Preclinical evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies supported the therapeutic promise of quercetin-loaded nanoparticles in diabetes intervention.

To our knowledge, this was the first review to specifically focus on applying quercetin-loaded nanoparticles in diabetes therapy. Overall, nanoencapsulation strategies substantially enhance the bioavailability of quercetin, leading to improved anti-diabetic efficacy in preclinical models. Nevertheless, rigorously designed, large-scale clinical trials are required to validate their safety and efficacy in humans and to enable clinical translation.