Effects of quercetin metabolites on the enhancing effect of β-carotene on DNA damage and cytochrome P1A1/2 expression in benzo[a]pyrene-exposed A549 cells

► Quercetin metabolites attenuate β-carotene + BaP induced DNA damage in A549 cells. ► These metabolites also decrease β-carotene + BaP induced intracellular ROS formation. ► Suppression of CYP1A1/1A2 expression plays an important role in such effects.