Synergistic Effect of Quercetin and Vitamin C in Reducing Acute Toxicity and Improving Antitumor Activity of Liposomal Doxorubicin

This article attempts to reduce the acute toxicity of doxorubicin while preserving its antitumor effects. For this purpose, a long-circulating liposomal doxorubicin was PEGylated to treat tumor-bearing Kunming mice, and quercetin and vitamin C were orally administered simultaneously to further suppress toxicity. Quercetin is a fat-soluble flavonoid that scavenges free radicals in cell membranes, whereas vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin capable of neutralizing free radicals in the cytoplasm. Doxorubicin concentrations in the plasma and in the different organs of the mice were compared, and the detoxication effects of different combinations of reagents are discussed in detail. The results show that quercetin and vitamin C can synergistically reduce the acute toxicity of long-circulating liposomal doxorubicin and further improve its antitumor effect.