Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercetin
Also known as: α-Glycosyl Isoquercetin, AGIQ, enzymatically modified isoquercitrin, α-oligoglucosyl quercetin 3-O-glucoside, EMIQ, alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercitrin
Overview
Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercitrin (AGIQ) is a water-soluble derivative of quercetin, a natural flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables. It is produced through enzymatic glycosylation of isoquercitrin, a process that significantly enhances its solubility and bioavailability compared to native quercetin. This modification allows for higher absorption and increased plasma levels of quercetin in the body. AGIQ is primarily used as a dietary supplement for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests its potential benefits extend to metabolic health, including glucose regulation, and cardiovascular protection. Its enhanced stability in the gastrointestinal tract further contributes to its superior absorption profile. While several animal and human intervention studies exist, including systematic reviews on quercetin bioavailability, more large-scale randomized controlled trials specifically on AGIQ are needed to fully establish its efficacy across all potential applications.
Benefits
AGIQ offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily stemming from its improved bioavailability of quercetin. It leads to enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are crucial for overall cellular health and disease prevention. Studies, including animal models, suggest potential improvements in glucose metabolism and attenuation of postprandial glycemia, possibly by increasing GLP-1 secretion, particularly when combined with soybean fiber. This indicates a promising role in managing blood sugar levels. Furthermore, AGIQ shows antiviral potential; molecular docking studies suggest isoquercetin, a component of AGIQ, can interact with SARS-CoV-2 proteins, potentially mitigating viral virulence. While these are promising, clinical evidence in humans for antiviral effects is still limited. Cardiovascular benefits are also suggested by meta-analyses on flavonols, showing a reduction in atherosclerosis lesion areas in animal models. The enhanced absorption of AGIQ means that lower doses can achieve similar or superior plasma quercetin levels compared to higher doses of un-modified quercetin, making it a more efficient supplement.
How it works
AGIQ functions by significantly enhancing the absorption and systemic availability of quercetin. The enzymatic glycosylation process increases its water solubility, allowing for more efficient uptake in the intestines compared to less soluble forms of quercetin. Once absorbed, quercetin acts as a powerful antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. It also modulates inflammatory pathways, notably by inhibiting NF-κB, a key regulator of inflammatory responses. AGIQ may influence glucose metabolism by potentially stimulating GLP-1 secretion, a hormone involved in blood sugar regulation. Its antiviral effects are thought to occur through direct binding to viral proteins, such as those found in SARS-CoV-2, thereby interfering with viral replication or entry. The cardiovascular benefits are attributed to its overall anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, which help protect blood vessels and reduce plaque formation.
Side effects
Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercitrin is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with a low toxicity profile based on available animal and human studies. No major adverse effects have been consistently reported in the reviewed literature. Common side effects are minimal, with controlled trials indicating no significant adverse reactions. Uncommon or rare side effects are not well-documented, and no serious adverse events have been reported in high-quality studies to date. However, due to quercetin's known effects, there is a theoretical potential for interactions with certain medications, such as anticoagulants or drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Specific data on AGIQ's drug interactions are limited, so caution is advised for individuals on multiple medications. No specific contraindications have been established, but its safety in special populations like pregnant or lactating women and children has not been thoroughly studied, warranting caution in these groups.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for AGIQ is not yet firmly established, as studies utilize varying dosages, often extrapolated from quercetin equivalents. Human studies suggest that doses achieving sufficient plasma quercetin levels for antioxidant effects are optimal. Due to its enhanced bioavailability, AGIQ allows for lower doses to achieve similar or superior systemic quercetin levels compared to un-modified quercetin. While a maximum safe dose has not been clearly defined, animal studies have used higher doses without reported toxicity, and human tolerability appears good up to several hundred milligrams per day. AGIQ is often recommended to be administered with meals to further enhance absorption. Co-administration with dietary fibers may also improve its bioavailability and efficacy. Water-soluble AGIQ formulations are preferred for optimal absorption.
FAQs
Is AGIQ more effective than quercetin?
Yes, AGIQ is more effective than standard quercetin due to its improved water solubility and bioavailability, leading to higher plasma quercetin levels in the body.
Is it safe for long-term use?
Current evidence suggests AGIQ has a good safety profile, but long-term human data are still limited, so ongoing research is needed for definitive conclusions.
Does it help with blood sugar control?
Animal studies indicate AGIQ has potential benefits for glucose metabolism and blood sugar control, but more human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects.
Can it prevent viral infections?
Molecular docking and in vitro studies suggest AGIQ's components may have antiviral potential, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, but clinical evidence in humans is currently lacking.
How quickly do effects appear?
Improvements in bioavailability are rapid. However, metabolic and other clinical effects may require several weeks of consistent supplementation to become noticeable.
Research Sources
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.1c01388 – This animal study investigated the combination of AGIQ and soybean fiber in rats. It found that this combination significantly increased plasma quercetin levels, improved glucose metabolism, and enhanced GLP-1 secretion, suggesting potential benefits for metabolic health. The study highlights the synergistic effects of AGIQ with dietary components.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1934578X231219560 – This systematic review and meta-analysis on flavonoids, including isoquercetin, explored their antiviral properties. It reported that isoquercetin showed molecular docking efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 proteins, suggesting a potential role in mitigating viral virulence. The review provides high-level evidence for the antiviral effects of flavonoids, though specific clinical data for AGIQ are limited.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11594109/ – This systematic review comprehensively summarizes the known effects of quercetin, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. It emphasizes that bioavailability is a key limitation for quercetin's efficacy and discusses how derivatives like AGIQ address this challenge. The review provides strong indirect evidence supporting the benefits of enhanced quercetin delivery.
- https://pure.qub.ac.uk/files/646340745/azzzz.pdf – This systematic review of human interventions focused on methods to improve quercetin bioavailability. It concluded that enzymatic modifications, such as those used to produce AGIQ, are effective in enhancing quercetin absorption and systemic availability. The synthesis of 31 human studies supports the superior bioavailability of AGIQ compared to other quercetin forms.
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/32/12/32_12_2034/_article – This systematic review and meta-analysis, primarily using animal models (ApoE-deficient mice), investigated the effects of flavonols on atherosclerosis. It found that flavonols, including enzymatically modified isoquercitrin, were effective in reducing aortic atherosclerosis lesions. This study provides moderate-quality evidence supporting the cardiovascular potential of AGIQ, though human relevance is indirect.
