Evaluation of variation of acteoside and three major flavonoids in wild and cultivated Scutellaria baicalensis roots by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. (1/35)

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) conditions were developed to analyze the constituents of Scutellariae Radix (SR) and Scutellaria baicalensis roots. Using the MEKC method, the major flavonoid constituents of baicalin, baicalein and wogonin of wild and cultivated S. baicalensis roots were compared. In a preliminary comparison of electropherogram, one special peak was found in a wild sample but not in a 2-year-cultivated one. The compound corresponding to the peak was isolated and identified as a phenylethanoid glycoside, acteoside, by comparing the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral data with that of the authentic compound. This is the first time acteoside has been isolated from the Scutellaria genus. It could only be found in SR derived from wild S. baicalensis roots and 4-year-cultivated plants, but not in plant materials cultivated for 3 years. Applying the MEKC method established in this study, rapid and simultaneous determinations of acteoside together with 3 flavonoids in samples were achieved. The method can thus be used for the quality control of SR in a shorter analysis period than HPLC.  (+info)

Effect of the flavonoid components obtained from Scutellaria radix on the histamine, immunoglobulin E and lipid peroxidation of spleen lymphocytes of Sprague-Dawley rats. (2/35)

The effect on the IgE content induced by concanavalin A in spleen lymphocytes of the presence wogonin, ganhuangenin, wogonoside and 3,5,7,2',6'-pentahydroxyl flavanone was investigated. These flavonoid components markedly inhibited the histamine released from cells stimulated with the calcium ionophore, A23187. However, the magnitude of the inhibitory effect on the degree of lipid peroxidation by ConA of these components was in order of PHF>GHG>WG>WGS. Interestingly, WG, GHG and WGS, with a methoxyl group in the A and B rings, strongly inhibited histamine and IgE production, whereas PHF without a methoxyl group was much stronger than that for lipid peroxidation. We suggest that WG, GHG and WGS might block the pathway for the release of histamine, and that the IgE level in spleen lymphocytes is responsible for the lipid peroxidation.  (+info)

Effect of Scutellariae radix extract on the high glucose-induced apoptosis in cultured vascular endothelial cells. (3/35)

Endothelial cell apoptosis has been postulated as the initial trigger of the progression of microvascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus. To investigate the role of Scutellariae radix extract, we examined its effect on the endothelial cell proliferation using the [3H]-thymidine incorporation method. Scutellariae radix extract significantly stimulated endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. We focused on the protective action of Scutellariae radix extract on the endothelial cell apoptosis induced by high glucose concentrations. Determination of endothelial cell apoptosis was performed using DNA gel electrophoresis, terminal deoxynuclotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, and an ELISA kit. Exposure of vascular endothelial cell to high glucose (16.7 mM) for 72 h resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis, compared with the normal glucose concentrations (5.5 mM). Scutellariae radix extract inhibited high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. This result suggests that Scutellariae radix extract may contribute to antiapoptotic action against vascular endothelial cells, resulting in a beneficial effect in preventing diabetes-associated microvascular complications.  (+info)

Baicalein, a component of Scutellaria radix from Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), leads to suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human myeloma cells. (4/35)

In the search for a more effective adjuvant therapy to treat multiple myeloma (MM), we investigated the effects of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan (GZFLW), and Huang-Lian-Tang (HLT) on the proliferation and apoptosis of myeloma cells. HLJDT inhibited the proliferation of myeloma cell lines and the survival of primary myeloma cells, especially MPC-1- immature myeloma cells, and induced apoptosis in myeloma cell lines via a mitochondria-mediated pathway by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and activating caspase-9 and caspase-3. Further experiments confirmed that Scutellaria radix was responsible for the suppressive effect of HLJDT on myeloma cell proliferation, and the baicalein in Scutellaria radix showed strong growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in comparison with baicalin or wogonin. Baicalein as well as baicalin suppressed the survival in vitro of MPC-1- immature myeloma cells rather than MPC-1+ myeloma cells from myeloma patients. Baicalein inhibited the phosphorylation of IkB-alpha, which was followed by decreased expression of the IL-6 and XIAP genes and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Therefore, HLJDT and Scutellaria radix have an antiproliferative effect on myeloma cells, especially MPC-1- immature myeloma cells, and baicalein may be responsible for the suppressive effect of Scutellaria radix by blocking IkB-alpha degradation.  (+info)

Studies on the constituents of Scutellaria species (XXII). Constituents of the roots of Scutellaria amabilis HARA. (5/35)

From the roots of Scutellaria amabilis HARA, eleven new flavonoids, 5,7,2'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7,2'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7-dihydroxy-8,2'-dimethoxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavone 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, (2S)-5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone, (2S)-5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (2S)-5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, (2S)-7,2'-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, (I-2S)-I-5,II-5,I-7,II-7,I-2',II-2',II-5'-heptahydroxy-[I-6,II-6']-flavanonylflav one and (I-2S)-I-5,II-5,I-7,II-7,I-2',II-2',I-5',II-5'-octahydroxy-[I-6,II-6']-flavanonyl flavone, were isolated, together with ten known flavonoids, wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), 5,7-dihydroxy-8,2'-dimethoxyflavone, (2S)-5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavanone, scutevulin (5,7,2'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone, alpinetin ((2S)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone), 5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavone, 5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavone, (2S)-7,2'-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone and 5,7-dihydroxy-8,2'-dimethoxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside. The structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral data.  (+info)

Four new neo-clerodane diterpenoid alkaloids from Scutellaria barbata with cytotoxic activities. (6/35)

Four new neo-clerodane diterpenoid alkaloids, named scutebarbatines C-F (1-4), were isolated from the whole plants of Scutellaria barbata D. DON. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analyses (UV, IR, FAB-MS, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR). In vitro, compounds 1-4 showed significant cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines, namely, HONE-1 nasopharyngeal, KB oral epidermoid carcinoma, and HT29 colorectal carcinoma cells, and gave IC(50) values in the range 3.9-7.8 muM.  (+info)

Pheophorbide a, an active compound isolated from Scutellaria barbata, possesses photodynamic activities by inducing apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma. (7/35)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for cancer by inducing apoptosis or necrosis in the target cells. Pheophorbide a (Pa), a chlorophyll derivative, is a photosensitzier which can induce significant anti-proliferative effects in a number of human cancer cell lines. This study investigated the action mechanism of Pa-mediated photodynamic therapy (Pa-PDT) on the human hepatocellular carcinoma, Hep3B cells. Pa-PDT significantly inhibited the growth of Hep3B cells with an IC50 value of 1.5 microM. Intracellular ROS level was increased in Pa-PDT treated cells and the cytotoxic effect could be reversed when ascorbic acid was applied. Pa was found to be localized in the mitochondria and then induced the target cells to undergo apoptosis, which was confirmed by propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation assay. Pa-PDT treatment also led to the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapim) and a release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. The caspase cascade was activated as shown by a significant decrease of procaspase-3 and -9 in Pa-PDT treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in nude mice model, Pa-PDT treatment could reduce the tumor size by 57% after 14 days treatment.  (+info)

Enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy by a chinese herbal medicine for hepatocellular carcinoma. (8/35)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the sixth among the most common malignancies, with chronic HBV infection being the most common cause. HCC is more common in Africa, China and south-east Asia, but its incidence in the USA, Canada and Australia is rising. Current treatment modalities for HCC are not effective, and only a small percentage of patients are suitable for surgical resection and liver transplantation. Thus other treatment options and improvement of available modalities are badly in need. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may have some therapeutic benefit for patients with HCC. The study by Tang et al. has implicated that coupled with Pheophorbide a (Pa), PDT may offer therapeutic benefit for patients with HCC. Inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis by Pa may be mechanistically responsible for Pa-PDT. As Pa is an extract from a Chinese herbal medicine Scutellaria Barbata, which is widely available, less toxic and less expensive, such a combination may find a better clinical usage in the treatment of HCC patients. More studies are mandatory to fully elucidate the efficacy and mechanisms of Pa-mediated PDT.  (+info)