Miquelianin (Quercetin 3-O-glucuronide) is the main metabolite of quercetin in the body and is also a carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) inhibitor [1]. Miquelianin effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibits inflammatory responses mediated by the NF-κB signaling pathway, and improves cellular metabolic homeostasis by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway [2]. Miquelianin is primarily used in experimental studies of oxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and metabolic regulatory mechanisms [3-4].
In MDCK cells, Miquelianin can effectively inhibit the replication of H1N1-UI182 virus, as manifested by a significant decrease in the expression of viral nucleoprotein (NP) and a significant reduction in cytopathic effect (CPE) observed under a microscope [5]. In C3H10T1/2 cells, Miquelianin (5μM, 10μM; 24h) can reduce intracellular lipid accumulation by promoting lipolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation and inhibiting lipid droplet formation, thereby exerting metabolic regulation and anti-fatty degeneration effects [6].
In atopic dermatitis (AD) mice model, Oral administration of Miquelianin (4mg/mL, 10mg/mL; po; 21d) can significantly reduce serum IgE levels and the expression of Th2-related cytokines (such as IL-4 and IL-5) in the spleen, thereby inhibiting excessive Th2 immune responses [7]. In HFD-fed mice model, Miquelianin (12.8mg/kg, 25.6mg/kg; ig; 12weeks) extract promotes white-to-beige fat conversion via blocking AMPK/DRP1/mitophagy and modulating gut microbiota [8].
References:
[1]. Terao J, Yamaguchi S, Shirai M, et al. Protection by quercetin and quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucuronide of peroxynitrite-induced antioxidant consumption in human plasma low-density lipoprotein[J]. Free Radical Research, 2001, 35(6): 925-931.
[2]. Wang T, Lv L, Feng H, et al. Unlocking the potential: quercetin and its natural derivatives as promising therapeutics for sepsis[J]. Biomedicines, 2024, 12(2): 444.
[3]. Bakirhan N K, Sener S O, Baran M Y, et al. An Electrochemical Approach for a Flavonoid: Miquelianin via Carbon-Based Electrodes and Its Analysis from Calystegia silvatica[J]. Journal of AOAC International, 2025: qsaf032.
[4]. Schepetkin I A, Ramstead A G, Kirpotina L N, et al. Therapeutic potential of polyphenols from Epilobium angustifolium (Fireweed)[J]. Phytotherapy research, 2016, 30(8): 1287-1297.
[5]. Li H, Shen B, Bi Y, et al. Miquelianin inhibits IAV infection via the MAPK signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo[J]. Frontiers in Immunology, 2025, 16: 1532336.
[6]. Wang Z, Xue C, Yang T, et al. Miquelianin, a main functional flavonoid of lotus leaf, induces thermogenic signature via p38‐PINK1‐PARKIN‐mediated mitophagy and mimicking NRF2 signaling during brown adipocyte differentiation[J]. Food Frontiers, 2023, 4(4): 1831-1844.
[7]. Choi D W, Jung S Y, Kim G D, et al. Miquelianin inhibits allergic responses in mice by suppressing CD4+ T cell proliferation[J]. Antioxidants, 2021, 10(7): 1120.
[8]. Wang Z, Yang T, Zeng M, et al. Miquelianin in Folium Nelumbinis extract promotes white-to-beige fat conversion via blocking AMPK/DRP1/mitophagy and modulating gut microbiota in HFD-fed mice[J]. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2023, 181: 114089.