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Assessment of the Efficacy of Quercetin in Adult Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

  • 2026-07
  • Human psychopharmacology 41(4)
    • Anahid Rezaeifar
    • Mahtab Motamed
    • Niayesh Mohebbi

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
52 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Methods
randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, quercetin or placebo for 60 days
Blinding
Triple-blind
Duration
60 days
Funding
Unclear

Objectives

This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of quercetin in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods

Fifty-two adults with ASD were randomly assigned to receive either quercetin or placebo for 60 days. Outcomes included the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) domains, and other clinical measures assessed at baseline, 30 days, and 60 days.

Results

Baseline demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions were comparable between groups. The quercetin group showed a significant within-group reduction in SRS scores over time (p = 0.010), whereas the placebo group showed no significant change (p = 0.655). However, between-group differences in SRS change were not statistically significant. At week 8, the physical health domain of WHOQOL improved more in the quercetin group at the unadjusted level (p = 0.044), but this was not significant after adjustment (p = 0.082). The environmental health domain showed a borderline difference favoring quercetin (adjusted p = 0.053).

Conclusion

Quercetin supplementation showed potential benefits in select social quality of life and social domain responsiveness in participants with ASD. Larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm its clinical effectiveness.

Trial registration

IRCT20241214064050N1.

Research Insights

  • Quercetin→Improved Environmental Quality of Life

    The environmental health domain showed a borderline difference favoring quercetin (adjusted p = 0.053).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Quercetin→Improved Physical Health Quality of Life

    At week 8, the physical health domain of WHOQOL improved more in the quercetin group at the unadjusted level (p = 0.044), but this was not significant after adjustment (p = 0.082).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Quercetin→Improved Social Responsiveness

    The quercetin group showed a significant within-group reduction in SRS scores over time (p = 0.010), whereas the placebo group showed no significant change (p = 0.655). However, between-group differences in SRS change were not statistically significant.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small

Adverse Events Reported

  • Quercetin→Overall tolerability

    This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of quercetin in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

    Finding
    Reported
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