Of Scutellariae radix

Shinichi, I., S. Kaxunobu, Y. Naomasa, Y. Ryouji, W. Seiji, Y. Keisuke, and K. Taketoshi. 2000. Antitumor effects of Scutellariae radix and its components baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin on bladder cancer cell lines. Urology 55 951-955. 

Pharmacological and biological activities of flavonoids of Scutellariae radix ... 

Flavonoids are major components of Scutellaria radix, and about 40 kinds of flavonoids have been identified in it so far [5]. These flavonoids are known to have a broad range of physiological activities. The activities of baicalin, which is the main component, baicalein, and wogonin, in particular, have been investigated. From the results, it has been concluded that the most potent antiallergic material is baicalein, and the other flavonoids have low activities. Therefore, the quantitative analysis of individual flavonoids is important for evaluating the quality of Scutellaria radix. Figures 1 and 2 show the HPLC... 

Anti-hepatitis B virus activity in vitro and in vivo was also found in wogonin and baicalein (Fig. 4), the major active constituents of the traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria radix.More recently, Blach-Olszewska et al investigated the effect of baicalein and wogonin on two important mechanisms of innate immunity The secretion of cytokines, and the natural resistance of human leukocytes to viral infection. The results obtained indicate that these fiavonoids modulate cytokine production, that is they inhibit interferons-a and -y, and stimulate tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin production. They also augment the resistance of peripheral blood leukocytes to the vesicular stomatitis virus. 

They are often used as assistants in the formula to enhance the ability of herbs that strongly reduce damp-heat, such as Huang Qin (Scutellariae radix), Huang lian (Coptidis rhizoma) and Huang Bai (Phellodendri cortex). 

To clarify the inhibitory effects of these flavonoids from Scutellariae radix on adjuvant-induced arthritis, we further examined the effects of these flavonoids on leukotriene synthesis and adhesion molecular expression in neutrophils and vein endothelial cells. Baicalein inhibited the biosynthesis of LTs B4 and C4 in human leukocytes most strongly... 

Fig. 1 HPLC chromatogram of standard mixtures (a) and a Scutellaria radix extract (b). Key 1 baicalin 2 baicalein 3 wogonin 4 chrysin.

Fig. 2 Effect of running buffer pH and phosphate concentration on the separation of four components in the Scutellaria radix CE (1 baicalin 2 bicalein 3 chrysin 4 wogonin). (a) pH 6.0 sodium citrate buffer (20 mM), (b) pH 6.5 sodium phosphate buffer (20 mM), (c) pH 7.0 sodium phosphate buffer (20 mM), (d) pH 7.0 sodium phosphate buffer (35 mM), (e) pH 7.0 sodium phosphate buffer (50 mM), (f) pH 7.0 sodium phosphate buffer (100 mM), (g) pH 7.5 sodium phosphate buffer (50 mM), (h) pH 8.0 sodium phosphate buffer (35 mM).

Jang, S.I., H.J. Kim, K.M. Hwang, et al. 2003. Hepatoprotective effect of baicalin, a major flavone from Scutellaria radix, onacet-aminophen-induced Uver injury in mice. Immunopharmacol. Immunotoxicol. 25(4) 585-594. 

Kim, J.-Y., S. Lee, D.-H. Kim, et al. 2002. Effects of flavonoids isolated from Scutellariae radix on cytochrome P-450 activities in human liver microsomes. /. Toxicol. Environ. Health A 65(5-6) 373-381. 

Lin MC, Tsai MJ, Wen KC (1999) Supercritical fluid extraction of flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix. J Chromatogr A 830(2) 387-395... 

Gao Z, Huang K, Yang X, Xu H. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracted from the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Biochim Biophys Acta 1999 1472 643-650. 

Chinese traditional medicine, Scutellariae Radix, is the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Baicalin and baicalein are two active flavones in Radix Scutellariae. In China, the Public Health Department requires that the content of baicalin in Scutellariae Radix should not be less than 8.0%. A method based on CZE-ECD has been developed for the determination of baicalein and baicalin in Scutellariae Radix and its pharmaceutical preparations [30]. The contents of baicalin and baicalein in the investigated samples of Radix Scutellariae were determined to be 44.4-85.5 and 10.7-20.6 mg g respectively. 

Chen, G., Zhang, H.W. and Ye, J.N. (2000) Determination of baicalein, baicalin and quercetin in Scutellariae Radix and its preparations by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection. Talanta, 53,471-479. 

For red eyes and mental dullness due to upward rising of depressive heat of the heart, liver, and spleen, add Rhizoma Ligustici Wallichii (Chuan Xiong), Flos Chrysanthemi Morifolii (Ju Hua), Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (Yin Hua), Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis (Huang Qiri), and Rhizoma Coptidis Chinensis (Huang Lian). 

Also for qi vacuity fever, increase the dosage of Bupleurum and add Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis (Huang Qiri) and Radix Puerariae Lobatae (Ge Gen). 

---