Quercetin
A widely consumed dietary flavonoid used both as a general antioxidant/anti-inflammatory supplement and, combined with dasatinib, as the canonical senolytic cocktail in aging research. Human data support modest anti-inflammatory and blood-pressure effects; the senolytic outcome data in humans are still early.
01 Overview
Quercetin is a flavonol found in onions, apples, capers, and many plants, long sold as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy supplement. In aging research it is best known as the 'Q' in the dasatinib-plus-quercetin (D+Q) senolytic combination, the first senolytic cocktail tested in humans.
On its own, human trials show quercetin can modestly lower blood pressure (mainly in hypertensives) and reduce some inflammatory markers, with weaker or null effects on exercise performance. As a single-agent senolytic it is relatively weak; its role is mainly as an adjunct to dasatinib. Bioavailability is low, improving with phytosome or combined formulations. No human lifespan data exist.
02 Mechanism
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid; as a senolytic it inhibits PI3K/AKT and other pro-survival pathways to help trigger apoptosis in senescent cells, synergising with dasatinib.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common daily | 500–1000 mg/day | Oral | Typical antioxidant/anti-inflammatory supplement dose. |
| Senolytic (with dasatinib) | 1000–1250 mg/day | Oral | Used with dasatinib on intermittent D+Q senolytic schedules in trials. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowered blood pressureMeta-analyses show a modest antihypertensive effect, mainly in people with elevated blood pressure. | ~-3 to -5 mmHg systolic | Clinical | |
| Reduced inflammatory markersSome trials show reductions in CRP and other inflammatory markers. | modest | Clinical | |
| Senolytic synergy with dasatinibEnhances senescent-cell clearance when combined with dasatinib in animal and early human work. | moderate | Preclinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GI upset / headacheHigh doses can cause stomach upset, headache, or tingling. | Mild | Uncommon | Clinical | |
| Drug interactions (CYP, transporters)Inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, potentially altering levels of other drugs. | Moderate | Uncommon | Preclinical |