• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.5 s.85
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• pp.706-713
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• 2007

Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI(SB) is used in oriental medicine for the treatment of incipient strokes. Although it has been reported that SB is neuroprotective in a hypoxia model, its mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effect of SB on the modulation of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), which has important biological roles in regulating mitochondrial heme protein turnover and in protecting against conditions such as hypoxia, neurodegenerative diseases, or sepsis. Rat cerebrocortical day In vitro(DIV)12 cells were grown in neurobasal medium. On DIV12 cells were treated with SB($20{\mu}g/ml$) and given a hypoxic shock ($2%\;O_2/5%\;CO_2,\;3\;hr$) on DIV14. In situ hybridization results revealed that SB upregulated HO-1 mRNA in neuronal dendrites in both normoxia and hypoxia(38.5% and 59.2%, respectively). At the protein level, SB upregulated HO-1 in the neuronal soma in both normoxia and hypoxia(22.4% and 15.7%, respectively). Interestingly, most significant increase was associated with astrocytes, which increased HO-1 protein by 77.5% compared to SB-untreated culture. These results indicate that SB upregulates both neuronal and glial HO-1 expression, which contributes to the neuroprotection efficacy in hypoxia).

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.86-86
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• 2019

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB) has been widely studied to treat inflammatory diseases in east Asia. In the recent years, many studies have focused on modifying herbs to increase the pharmacological effects. Roasting alcohol absorbed SB is one of the traditional methods to increase the therapeutic effects. Currently there are no reports on the pharmacological effects of roasted SB. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of roasted 30% ethyl alcohol absorbed SB extract (SR) on mice ear edema. After intra-gastric injection of dexamethasone (for positive control, 2 mg/kg) and SR (50, 100, 400 mg/kg), ear edema was provoked by croton oil (5% v/v in acetone, 10 ul/ear). Ear thickness was measured with a digital caliper to quantify the change in swelling. For histological study, we made paraffin sections and performed Phloxine-Tartrazine staining and Masson's trichrome staining to observe epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous region and collagen fiber of mice ear tissues. Ear thickness decreased dose-dependent manner in SR treated groups. Histological analysis compared with dexamethasone treated group, SR treated groups demonstrated a similar reduction in hypoplasia of epidermis and influx of inflammatory cells. Increase of subcutaneous layer and decrease of collagen fibers were significantly recovered in SR treated group (400 mg/kg) and dexamethasone treated group. In conclusion, treatment with SR ameliorates auricular inflammation induced with croton oil in mice. Experiments are now underway to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory activities of SR.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2024

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of mixed extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Alisma orientale Juzepzuk, and Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi on interleukin (IL)-6-induced damage to tight junction (TJ) integrity in a Caco-2 cell model. Methods : We assessed the TJ integrity of Caco-2 monolayers by measuring the flux of FITC-labeled dextran and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Additionally, we evaluated the expression of TJ proteins, such as ZO-1 and Occludin. Results : Treatment with IL-6 (50 ng/ml) increased TJ permeability and decreased TEER values of Caco-2 monolayers. Pretreatment with HTB (50-200 ㎍/ml) for 1 h significantly alleviated IL-6-induced TJ disruption, as evidenced by reduced TJ permeability and increased TEER values. Furthermore, HTB reversed the IL-6-induced inhibition of TJ protein expression, including ZO-1 and Occludin. Conclusions : These findings indicate that HTB protects barrier function by reversing the IL-6-induced decrease in TJ integrity and the suppression of TJ protein expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7179-7186
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• 2013

Background and Aims: Scutellaria is one of the most popular traditional Chinese herbal remedies against various human diseases, including cancer. In this study, we examined the active effects of Scutellaria extract and its main flavonoid constituents on the proportion of side population cells within human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 in vitro and explored the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Materials and Methods: The contents of flavonoids in ethanolic extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. The antiproliferative effect of the ethanolic extract on RPMI-8226 was determined by CCK assay. Apoptosis was measured by annexin combining with propidium iodide in a flow cytometer. Cell cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining in combination with flow cytometry analysis. Hoechst 33342 exclusion assay was used for the identification of side population within RPMI8226 cells. The expression of ABCG2 protein was assessed by Western blotting assay. Results: The content of major flavonoids constitutents of Scutellaria extract was baicalin (10.2%), wogonoside (2.50%), baicalein (2.29%), and wogonin (0.99%), respectively. The crude Scutellaria extract did not show significant anti-proliferative effect, apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in RPMI-8226 within the concentrations of $1-75{\mu}g/mL$. However, the ethanolic extract, baicalein, wogonin and baicalin reduced the side population cells in RPMI-8226, and data showed that baicalein and wogonin had stronger inhibitory effects. Correspondingly, they also exhibited significant effects on decreasing the expression level of ABCG2 protein in RPMI-8226 in vitro. Conclusions: Our results for the first time demonstrated a novel mechanism of action for Scutellaria extract and its main active flavonoids, namely targeting SP cells by modulating the expression of ABCG2 protein. This study provides an insight for new therapeutic strategies targeting cancer stem cells of multiple myeloma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (SDWE) on lipid levels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities on rats fed a high fat diet for 6 weeks. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (4-weeks-old) were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet and deionized water (ND), normal diet and Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (NDS), high fat diet and deionized water (HFD), high fat diet and Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (HFDS). The food intakes were significantly lower, but the food efficiency ratios were significantly higher in the high fat diet groups than those in other groups. The level of HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in plasma were significantly higher and AI (atherogenic index) in HFDS group was significantly lower than that in HFD group. The level of triglyceride in plasma was significantly decreased in SDWE groups. The triglyceride of liver was significantly increased in the high fat diet groups and the total cholesterol of liver in the HFDS group was significantly lower than that in the HFD group. The plasma and liver concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the NDS group were significantly lower than those in the ND group. The total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma was significantly increased in the HFDS group compared to the HFD group. The activities of SOD, catalase and GST were significantly increased in SDWE groups compared to ionized water groups. The activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of GSH in liver in the HFDS group were significantly higher than those in the HFD group. These results suggest that a supplement of SDWE on rats fed high fat diet reduce levels of lipid and lipid peroxidation in plasma and liver and improve the antioxidant defense systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.420-426
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• 2004

In this study, among 10 medicinal plants extracted with 50%-ethanol, antimicrobial activities measured by paper disc method were showed in Scutellaria baicalensis (Sb) on Leu mesenteroides and in Phellodendron amurene (Pa) on Lac. plantarum and Leu. mesenteroides. While 0.05∼0.2% of Pa extracts showed also relatively strong growth inhibition of both strains of lactic acid bacteria cultured in MRS broth for 24 hours at 3$0^{\circ}C$, Sb extract at concentration of 0.1% showed similar inhibitory effect on Leu mesenteroides to that of 0.05% of Pa extract. Addition of 0.02∼0.04% of Pa extracts to kimchi lowered effectively extents of pH decrease and acidity increase, and numbers of lactic acid bacteria and total bacteria compared to those of control during fermentation at 4$^{\circ}C$. This extending effect on fermentation period was obtained by adding 0.04% in case of Sb. Mixed extracts of Pa and Sb (Pa-Sb) by ratio 1 : 1 delayed also fermentation of kimchi at 0.03∼0.04%. In sensory evaluation kimchi containing 0.04% of Pa extract were less sour than kimchi containing 0.02% of Sb extract and/or control at late stage of fermentation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.356-362
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• 2019

Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) has widely used in the treatment for various brain diseases in the field of Oriental medicine. Biofermantation of SB can make major chemical constituents of SB to pass blood-brain barrier easily and to have more potent anti-oxidant ability. There is a little information about the contribution of fermented SB (FSB) to the formation or maintenance of the neural plasticity in the hippocampus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of FSB extract on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) - induced impairments of the induction and maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP), an electrophysiological marker for the neural plasticity in the hippocampus. From hippocampal slices of rats, the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) were evoked by the electrical stimulation to the Schaffer collaterals - commissural fibers in the CA1 areas and LTP by theta-burst stimulation by using 64 - channels in vitro multi-extracellular recording system. In order to induce oxidative stress to hippocampal slices two different concentrations (200, 400 μM) of H₂O₂ were given to the perfused aCSF before and after the LTP induction, respectively. The ethanol extract of FBS with concentration of 25 ㎍/ml, 50 ㎍/ml was diluted in perfused aCSF that had 200 μM H₂O₂, respectively. Oxidative stress by the treatment of H₂O₂ resulted in decrease of the induction rate of LTP in the CA1 area with a dose - dependent manner. However, the ethanol extract of FSB prevented the reduction of the induction rate of LTP caused by H₂O₂ - induced oxidative stress with a dose - dependent manner. These results may support a potential application of FSB to ameliorate impairments of hippocampal dependent neural plasticity or memory caused by oxidative stress.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 2015

Objectives : In the present study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis (EESB) on the progression of cell cycle in human renal cell carcinoma Caki-1 cells. Methods : The effects of EESB on cell growth and apoptosis induction were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results : It was found that EESB treatment on Caki-1 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and induced apoptotic cell death as detected by Annexin V-FITC staining. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that EESB resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression which was associated with the down-regulation of cyclin A expression. Our results also revealed that treatment with EESB increased the mRNA and proteins expression of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1), without any noticeable changes in cyclin B1, Cdk2 and Cdc2. In addition, the incubation of cells with EESB resulted in a significant increase in the binding of p21 and Cdk2 and Cdc2. These findings suggest that EESB-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in Caki-1 cells is mediated through the p53-mediated upregulation of Cdk inhibitor p21. Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that EESB may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent and further studies will be needed to identify the biological active compounds that confer the anti-cancer activity of S. baicalensis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.392-399
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• 2007

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (SBGE) is known to be antioxidant effect. In addition of the effects, we further investigated the SBGE on the antioxidant effect on a renal cortical slices cell and kidney protecting effects. The results were as follows. 1 When renal cortical slices separated from a rabbit's kidney were treated with 1mM tert-Butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) in the presence of SBGE. SBGE significant prevented t-BHP induced increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and lipid peroxidation. 2. When renal cortical slices separated from a rabbit's kidney were treated with oxidant $300{\mu}M$ cisplatin in the presence of SBGE. SBGE significant prevented cisplatin-induced increase in LDH release and lipid peroxidation. 3. Pretreatment with 0.1g/kg SBGE for seven day and treatment with 5 mg/kg cisplatin by the intraperitoneal injection The results were that the pretreatment group with SBGE showed a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, increase in clearance rate of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the kidney than the administering single agent group of cisplatin. and pretreatment group with SBGE showed intact microvillus of proximal tubule and no contraction of rumen, it was a similar result with normal group. With the results SBGE showed to be highly effective on antioxidant effect and cellular protection activity against cisplatin that was a toxic agent on a kidney. Therefore, SBGE is considered to have protective effective on a disordered kidney or kidney diseases such as nephritis or renal failure that cause tissue damages in a kidney.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.31-31
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• 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is the most common disorder in elderly men, involves androgenic hormone imbalance with chronic inflammation that causes imbalance between cell apoptosis and cell proliferation. As the root cause of the BPH remains unclear and synthetic drugs for treatment of BPH have undesirable side effects, the development of effective alternative medicines has been considered. Chinese Skullcap has been considered natural remedy to treat pyrexia, micturition disorder and inflammation. Although skullcap has effective properties on various diseases, the effects and molecular mechanism of Skullcap on BPH are not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Chinese Skullcap root extract (SRE) in testosterone-induced BPH rats. Compared with the untreated group, the SRE treatment group suppressed pathological alterations, such as prostate growth and increase in serum dihydrotestosterone and $5{\alpha}$-reductase levels. Furthermore, SRE significantly decreased the expression of androgen receptor and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. SRE also restored Bax/Bcl-2 balance. These effect of SRE was more prevalent than commercial $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitor, finasteride. Taken together, we propose that SRE suppresses abnormal androgen events in prostate tissue and inhibits the development of BPH by targeting inflammation- and apoptosis-related markers. These finding strengthens that SRE could be used as plant-based $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitory alternative.