The Effective Preparation of Flavonoids from Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI by Diaion HP-20 Resin

Scutellaria baicalensis $G_{EORGI}$ (Scutellariae Radix) has been used to clear heat and to dry dampness in the stomach or intestines, which manifests as diarrhea or dysenteric disorder. In this study, we investigated the effective preparation of active components in Scutellariae Radix using the methods of solvent extraction and absorption fractionation for the development of new functional food or pharmaceuticals. The marker substances, baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, and wogonin were directly isolated from the Scutellariae Radix. There chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The Scutellariae Radix was extracted with hot water. To enhance yield of flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix, the hot water extract was dissolved in ethanol with concentration dependent manner. The precipitates were separated using centrifugal techniques at 10,000 rpm. Supernatant liquid was applied to the HPLC for quantification of major compounds. Separately, the hot water extract was absorbed on Diaion HP-20 resin. And then, the absorbed fraction was eluted with methanol for HPLC. The contents of baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside and wogonin in different treatment methods were analyzed by HPLC. Total amount of four major components were 16.9% in 50% ethanol extract, 21.7% in 70% ethanol extract, 20.5% in 90% ethanol extract, and 39.3% in absorbed fraction of Diaion HP-20 resin. In these results, we found that resin absorption method is suitable for the extraction of enriched flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix.