Quercetin decreases the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and ameliorates vascular remodeling in renovascular hypertension.

•Quercetin decreased the number of vascular smooth muscle cells and increased aortic cross-sectional area in hypertension.•Quercetin reduces NAD(P)H oxidase activity and superoxide anion in hypertensive rats.•Quercetin reduced MMP-2 activity in aorta of hypertensive rats and its effect in hyperplasia of vascular smooth muscle cells.•Quercetin did not significantly reduce systolic blood pressure in hypertension although it ameliorated vascular remodeling.