Baicalein induced Apoptosis of Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone), a flavonoid originated from the root of Chinese medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and hepatic stellate cells play an important role in the pathogenesis or hepatic fibrosis. In this study, we investigated apoptosis stimulation by baicalein in activated rat hepatic stellate cells (T-HSC/C1-6). Transformed rat hepatic stellate cells (T-HSC/C1-6) were treated with baicalein(100uM, 70uM, 40uM). Apoptosis was determined by detection of DNA fragmentation in gel electrophoresis, morphological alternations by flow cytometry and quantification of phosphatidylserine externalization by Annexin V labeling. (omitted)