Scutellaria baicalensis and Cancer Treatment: Recent Progress and Perspectives in Biomedical and Clinical Studies

Abstract

Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin in Chinese) is a major traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb, which has a long history of use in the treatment of a variety of symptoms correlated with cancer. In the past decade, the potential of S. baicalensis and single compounds derived from it as anticancer agents targeting various pathways has received extensive research attention. Specifically, the proliferation and metastases inhibiting properties of the single compounds in cancer have been studied; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review summarizes the various mechanisms, pathways and molecular targets involved in the anticancer activity of S. baicalensis and its single compounds. However, the aim of this review is to provide a more thorough view of the last 10 years to link traditional use with modern research and to highlight recently discovered molecular mechanisms. Extracts and major flavonoids derived from S. baicalensis have been found to possess anticancer effects in multiple cancer cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. Further investigation is warranted to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to discover novel targets and cancer therapeutic drugs that may improve both the survival and quality of life of cancer patients.

Comparative analysis of the main active components and hypoglycemic effects after the compatibility of Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma

“…SR, the dry root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been widely used to treat inflammation , cancer and liver diseases . CR, the dried rhizome of Coptis chinensis Franch, has been historically used over 3000 years to treat diarrhea and diabetes .…”

Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity Against Growing and Non-growing Forms of B. burgdorferi

“…Scutellaria baicalensis and its constituents have been shown to have neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, antiinflammatory, and anti-excitotoxicity activity (93)(94)(95)(96). One of the active constituents found in Scutellaria baicalensis, baicalein, was found to exhibit in vitro activity against various morphologic forms of B. burgdorferi and B. garinii, including log phase spirochetes, latent round bodies, and biofilm formations (97).…”

Polyphenols of Chinese skullcap roots: from chemical profiles to anticancer effects

“…5 Its root is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in the formulations of TCM. 6,7 Skullcap root has been authorized in the treatment of jaundice, hepatitis, and diarrhea and infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts in China for more than 2000 years. 8 Recent clinical applications have involved Chinese skullcap in the treatment of many diseases including inammation, 9,10 hypertension, 11 cardiovascular disease, 12 neurodegeneration 13 and tumors.…”

“…[14][15][16][17] The antitumor effect of skullcap as TCM is widely recognized because of its historical clinical applications as a single component or in formulations for treating cancerous diseases. 7 Chinese skullcap is abundant in avonoid polyphenols as its anti-cancer ingredients, including baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A, as well as the glycosidic derivatives, namely, baicalin, wogonoside and oroxylin-A-7-O-glucuronide. 18 These avonoids share a primary molecular skeleton and are very similar in structure since they originate from the same biosynthetic pathway.…”

“…6 We reviewed the anticancer effects of the S. baicalensis extract and some well-known polyphenols (wogonin and baicalin); we also discussed the underlying molecular mechanisms ranging from in vivo studies to clinical applications. 7 However, previous research is still insufficient to understand the complete therapeutic roles of Chinese skullcap against cancers, considering the diversity of polyphenols and biased discussions in pharmacology. In this review, we rst retrieved all the polyphenol compounds derived from skullcap roots and categorized them properly in terms of their structures and anticancer effects.…”