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Article

Effects of Quercetin in Free Form and Nanoemulsion in an In Vivo Model of Parkinson’s Disease

by
Camila de Oliveira Vian
1,2,3,*,
Rafael Felipe De Aguiar
1,2,
Marcelo Augusto Germani Marinho
1,2,
Vitória Pereira Mackmillan
1,2,
Carolina Miranda Alves
2,
Jamile Lima Rodrigues
4,
Fernanda Barros de Miranda
1,5,
Cristiana Lima Dora
5,6,
Ana Paula Horn
1,2,6 and
Mariana Appel Hort
1,2,5,6,*
1
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande 96210-900, RS, Brazil
2
Laboratório de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande 96210-900, RS, Brazil
3
Laboratório de Nanotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande 96210-900, RS, Brazil
4
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia e Ciências de Alimentos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande 96210-900, RS, Brazil
5
Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande 96210-900, RS, Brazil
6
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, FURG, Rio Grande 96210-900, RS, Brazil
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Future Pharmacol. 2025, 5(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/futurepharmacol5040068
Submission received: 1 August 2025 / Revised: 15 October 2025 / Accepted: 31 October 2025 / Published: 20 November 2025
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and cognitive impairments due to dopaminergic neuron loss. The neurotoxin MPTP is commonly used to model PD, as it selectively targets these neurons. Quercetin (QU), a flavonoid with antioxidant properties, has shown neuroprotective potential, but its poor solubility limits clinical application. Nanoemulsions (NEQU) have emerged as a strategy to enhance its bioavailability and efficacy. Methods: To evaluate the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of QU and NEQU, zebrafish larvae were exposed to MPTP (50 µM) and assessed for survival, locomotion (total distance traveled), morphological parameters, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (via MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Results: Only NEQU pre-treatment reversed MPTP-induced locomotor deficits. Both QU and NEQU (2.5 µM) significantly reduced ROS production and lipid peroxidation, with no effect on GSH levels. Notably, MPTP exposure led to a significant reduction in head size, an unprecedented finding in zebrafish PD models, indicating neurotoxicity. Morphometric analysis showed no change in total body length. However, MPTP significantly decreased swim bladder size and increased yolk sac size. Treatment with QU and NEQU attenuated these swim bladder alterations; no significant differences were observed in other parameters. Conclusions: These findings suggest that quercetin, particularly when nanoencapsulated, is a promising candidate for further development as a therapeutic agent to mitigate PD-related neurodegeneration.
Keywords: neurodegeneration; nanomedicine; neuroprotection neurodegeneration; nanomedicine; neuroprotection

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MDPI and ACS Style

Vian, C.d.O.; De Aguiar, R.F.; Marinho, M.A.G.; Mackmillan, V.P.; Alves, C.M.; Rodrigues, J.L.; de Miranda, F.B.; Dora, C.L.; Horn, A.P.; Hort, M.A. Effects of Quercetin in Free Form and Nanoemulsion in an In Vivo Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Future Pharmacol. 2025, 5, 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/futurepharmacol5040068

AMA Style

Vian CdO, De Aguiar RF, Marinho MAG, Mackmillan VP, Alves CM, Rodrigues JL, de Miranda FB, Dora CL, Horn AP, Hort MA. Effects of Quercetin in Free Form and Nanoemulsion in an In Vivo Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Future Pharmacology. 2025; 5(4):68. https://doi.org/10.3390/futurepharmacol5040068

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vian, Camila de Oliveira, Rafael Felipe De Aguiar, Marcelo Augusto Germani Marinho, Vitória Pereira Mackmillan, Carolina Miranda Alves, Jamile Lima Rodrigues, Fernanda Barros de Miranda, Cristiana Lima Dora, Ana Paula Horn, and Mariana Appel Hort. 2025. "Effects of Quercetin in Free Form and Nanoemulsion in an In Vivo Model of Parkinson’s Disease" Future Pharmacology 5, no. 4: 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/futurepharmacol5040068

APA Style

Vian, C. d. O., De Aguiar, R. F., Marinho, M. A. G., Mackmillan, V. P., Alves, C. M., Rodrigues, J. L., de Miranda, F. B., Dora, C. L., Horn, A. P., & Hort, M. A. (2025). Effects of Quercetin in Free Form and Nanoemulsion in an In Vivo Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Future Pharmacology, 5(4), 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/futurepharmacol5040068

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