Research Progress on Quercetin's Biological Activity and Structural Modification Based on Its Antitumor Effects

Abstract Quercetin is a naturally existing flavonoid with numerous physiological effects, including antitumor activity. It functions as an antitumor agent by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting tumor cell development, preventing tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and reversing tumor multidrug resistance. Quercetin has limited therapeutic usefulness due to its low water solubility, poor oral absorption, and low bioavailability. New quercetin derivatives are being developed and manufactured via a variety of methods to address inadequacies and for utilization in disease prevention and therapy. The synthesis and anticancer effects of quercetin derivatives, as well as the structure‐activity relationship of quercetin derivatives, were explored, and the unique dosage forms of these derivatives were summarized to serve as a reference for future quercetin research and development.