Chemopreventive Effect of Quercetin in Sarcoma-180-Bearing Mice

Abstract

The flavonoid quercetin was assessed for its chemopreventive property in Sarcoma-180(S-180)-induced ascites tumors. The flavonoid was administered in the diet at 2% level to S-180-bearing mice, and the lipid and lipoprotein profile was studied after the treatment. The plasma cholesterol levels increased in the S-180-bearing mice, with the increase attributed to LDL and VLDL; whereas HDL showed a decrease in the S-180-bearing animals. However on administration of quercetin there was a significant decrease in the cholesterol (free, total and ester) and lipoprotein levels (LDL and VLDL) with a corresponding increase in HDL cholesterol. The cholesterol levels of S-180 ascites fluid were also decreased in the quercetin-treated S-180 tumor.