Research progress of quercetin in infection at the maternal-fetal interface

The maternal-fetal interface serves as the core area for immune regulation between the mother and the fetus, and its stable balance is crucial for maintaining a normal pregnancy. Immune disorders at the maternal-fetal interface caused by infection are significant contributing factors to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as recurrent miscarriage, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. Quercetin, a flavonoid compound widely present in natural plants, demonstrates significant potential for pregnancy protection in reproductive medicine. This paper systematically reviews the mechanism of action of quercetin at the maternal-fetal interface, including regulating the function of decidual immune cells, balancing the cytokine network, targeting pathogenic signaling pathways, and enhancing the barrier function of trophoblast cells and decidual stromal cells. It also integrates the existing in vivo and in vitro experimental evidence (mainly focused on lipopolysaccharide-induced infection models) and clinical research evidence to comprehensively analyze the anti-infection characteristics and application prospects of quercetin. At the same time, the safety of quercetin application during pregnancy and the optimization direction of the administration strategy were discussed. It also looks forward to future research priorities. Therefore, this article provides new ideas and theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of infection-related pathological pregnancies.