Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of quercetin on the invasion, migration, proliferation and cell cycle of glioma U87
cells. Methods Glioma U87 cells were treated with 50, 100, or 150 μmol/L quercetin (Q50, Q100 and Q150 groups, respectively) or
with DMSO (Q0 group). Transwell in vitro invasion and migration assays, Click-iT Edu test and flow cytometry were
performed to evaluate the effect of quercetin on the invasion, migration, proliferation and cell cycle of U87 cells. Results After
36 h of quercetin treatment, the cells in Q50, Q100 and Q150 groups showed invasive cell percentages (relative to Q0 group) of
52.08%, 24.63%, and 13.13%, respectively (P<0.05). After quercetin treatment for 12 h, the migrating cell percentages (relative to
Q0 group) in Q50, Q100 and Q150 groups were 49.46%, 26.78%, and 14.56%, respectively (P<0.05). After 24 h of quercetin treatment,
the cell proliferation ratios in Q0, Q50, Q100 and Q150 groups were 25.21%, 18.38%, 16.74% and 15.24%; the cell percentages in
phase G0/Gl were 71.14%, 72.71%, 69.29%, and 66.47%, phase S were 25.32%, 22.48%, 21.96%, and 23.32%, and phase G2/M were
3.53%, 4.80%, 8.75%, and 10.25% in the 4 groups, respectively, showing a significant difference between groups Q100, Q150 and
group Q0 in phase G2/M cell percentages (P<0.05). Conclusion Quercetin can significantly inhibit the invasion, migration and
proliferation of glioma U87 cells by blocking the cell cycle progression.