Comparisons of Scutellaria baicalensis, Scutellaria lateriflora and Scutellaria racemosa: Genome Size, Antioxidant Potential and Phytochemistry

Abstract

The genus Scutellaria in the family Lamiaceae has over 350 species, many of which are medicinally active. One species, Scutellaria baicalensis, is one of the most widely prescribed plants in Traditional Chinese Medicine, used for neurological disorders, cancer and inflammatory diseases and has been the subject of detailed scientific study but little is known about the phytochemistry of other Scutellaria. The current study was designed to compare the medicinal phytochemistry of 3 species of Scutellaria used to treat neurological disorders. To accomplish this objective, the specific objectives were (a) to establish an in vitro collection of the South American native; S. racemosa, (b) to botanically characterize S. racemosa and (c) to compare the phytochemistry of S. racemosa with S. baicalensis and S. lateriflora. S. racemosa was established in vitro from wild populations in Florida. Botanically, S. racemosa is diploid with 18 chromosomes, and flow cytometry data indicated that S. baicalensis and S. racemosa have small nuclei with estimated small genomes (377 mbp and 411 mbp respectively). Antioxidant potential studies showed that there were no significant differences in the 3 Scutellaria species. Phytochemical analyses detected and quantified the flavonoids baicalin, baicalein, scutellarin, and wogonin as well as the human neurohormones melatonin and serotonin in leaf and stem tissues from S. baicalensis, S. lateriflora, and S. racemosa. These findings represent the first phytochemical analysis of S. racemosa and establish S. racemosa as a model system for study of medicinal plant secondary metabolism and as a potential source of important phytopharmaceuticals for treatment of human disease.

The use of Scutellaria lateriflora: A pilot survey amongst herbal medicine practitioners

“…Of the three herbs S. racemosa had the highest wogonin content. Baicalin content was similar for the three herbs (Cole et al 2008), which differs from the findings of Makino et al (2008) who found baicalin content in the leaves and stems of S. baicalensis was insignificant in comparison to S. lateriflora. There was slightly more baicalin in S. baicalensis root than in S. lateriflora leaves (Makino et al 2008).…”

“…For example, in common with many other Scutellaria species, S. lateriflora and S. baicalensis have similar phytochemical constituents, although in different ratios and quantities, which may explain the differing traditional uses amongst Scutellaria species (Cole et al 2008). Using HPLC, Cole et al (2008) quantitatively compared the content of flavonoids scutellarin, wogonin, baicalin and baicalein in aerial parts of S. lateriflora, S. baicalensis and S. racemosa grown in identical conditions. S. lateriflora contained the highest amount of baicalein while S. baicalensis contained 800 times more scutellarin than the other two herbs.…”

The effect of cytokinins on shoot proliferation, secondary metabolite production and antioxidant potential in shoot cultures of Scutellaria alpina

“…In recent years, various strategies have been developed which could increase the accumulation of biomass and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plant cell and organ cultures (Cole et al 2007). Attempts to produce phytochemicals of Scutellaria species through tissue culture have been reported earlier for S. baicalensis, S. columnae, S. lateriflora and S. racemosa (Seo et al 1993;Nishikawa and Ishimura 1997;Stojakowska and Kisiel 1998;Cole et al 2008). Previous studies describe the successful establishment of shoot regenerating calli and whole plants of S. altissima and these have been found to produce important secondary metabolites (GrzegorczykKarolak et al 2013(GrzegorczykKarolak et al , 2015.…”

American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): an ancient remedy for today’s anxiety?

“…Although S. lateriflora is a popular herb in western herbal medicine and contained in many herbal formulations (Joshee et al, 2002), particularly for anxiety and stress, relatively few scientific studies of this herb exist (Cole et al, 2008).…”

“…In common with many other Scutellaria species, S. lateriflora and S. baicalensis have similar phytochemical constituents, although in different ratios and quantities, which may explain the differing traditional uses amongst Scutellaria species. For instance, S. baicalensis contains 800 times more scutellarin than S. lateriflora (Cole et al, 2008). Although S. baicalensis is most commonly used for inflammation (Joshee et al, 2002) both S. lateriflora and S. baicalensis have been found to inhibit cyclooexgenases in vitro Jia et al, 2007).…”