Baicalin—Current Trends in Detection Methods and Health-Promoting Properties

Abstract

Baicalin (7-D-glucuronic acid-5,6-dihydroxyflavone) belongs to natural flavonoids extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, the plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been proven that baicalin has various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic ones. However, it is essential not only to determine the medical usefulness of baicalin, but also to find and develop the most effective methods for its extraction and detection. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the current methods of detection and identification of baicalin and to present the medical applications of baicalin and the underlying mechanisms of its action. Based on the review of the latest literature, it can be concluded that liquid chromatography alone or together with mass spectrometry is the most commonly used method for the determination of baicalin. Recently, also new electrochemical methods have been established, e.g., biosensors with fluorescence, which have better detection limits, sensitivity, and selectivity.

Mitochondria in depression: The dysfunction of mitochondrial energy metabolism and quality control systems

“…Moreover, both mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I and III are also observed to be significantly decreased in the neuron‐derived extracellular vesicles (NDEVs) of MDD patients 41 . Similarly, some animal studies verified that the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II and V, and the levels of some mitochondrial‐respiration proteins, such as cytochrome b‐c1 complex subunit 1, ATP synthase subunit O and ATP synthase γ chain, are significantly inhibited in the prefrontal cortex of depressive rodents 30,42 . Of note, Damri et al 38 .…”

“…41 Similarly, some animal studies verified that the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II and V, and the levels of some mitochondrial-respiration proteins, such as cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, ATP synthase subunit O and ATP synthase γ chain, are significantly inhibited in the prefrontal cortex of depressive rodents. 30,42 Of note, Damri et al 38 reported that intraperitoneal administration of rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, causes depression-like behaviors in mice, which is accompanied by abnormal changes in mitochondrial-respiration proteins levels in hippocampus.…”

Modulation of the Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) by Xenobiotic Compounds and Its Relevance to Human Diseases

“…It should also be emphasized that a number of the substances described below have not been registered as medicinal products by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency [ 90 , 91 ]. In TCM, these substances are attributed with anti-inflammatory effects (osthole [ 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 ], flavonoids [ 98 , 99 , 100 ]); have been proposed for use in heart disease (salvianolic acid C [ 101 , 102 ]), rheumatoid arthritis (sinomenine [ 103 ]), cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections (baicalin [ 104 ]); however, they also have very broad and non-specific indications (liquiritin [ 105 ], praeruptorin A [ 106 ], piperine [ 107 ], rosmarinic acid [ 108 ]).…”

“…Baicalin, a flavone ( Figure 2 ), is one of the major components of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which is extracted from a dried root of the plant [ 33 ]. Baicalin is commonly used in TCMI for the treatment of inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal and respiratory infections [ 104 ]. Although baicalin has multiple beneficial pharmacological activities ( Table 1 ), TCMI with baicalin as the main active ingredient have been reported to induce a number of allergic reactions [ 67 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 ].…”

The Anti-Diabetic Potential of Baicalin: Evidence from Rodent Studies

“…This points out that baicalin has a large therapeutic potential. Moreover, interest in baicalin as a natural health-promoting agent is still increasing [2,6]. Baicalin consumption is associated with numerous health advantages, including the prevention and treatment of various diseases.…”