OBJECTIVETo study the effects of PEG stress on baicalin, baicalein accumulation induced by an increased concentration of PEG solution and the related genes' expression in suspension of Scutellaria baicalensis.

METHODThe content of baicalin, baicalein in suspension of S. baicalensis was determined by HPLC. The related genes' expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR.

RESULTThe content of proline in suspension of S. baicalensis was promoted by PEG treatment. Ten percent PEG treatment promoted the expression of PAL and the content of baicalein in experimental material via a drought stress. 20% PEG solution treatment promoted the expression of UBGAT. At the same time, the increased activity of APX inhibited the progress of eliminating reactive oxygen by baicalein, which induced the transformation from baicalein to baicalin.

CONCLUSIONActive ingredient in suspension of S. baicalensis was promoted significantly via a stress of light concentration of PEG solution.

Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Suspensions

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba on periodontitis mice and compare the results of the two herbs for the treatment of the periodontitis mice.

METHODSSixty-four SPF 12-week-old male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into four groups:Control group(C); Experimental periodontitis group (P):the peridontitis models in Kunming mice were prepared by wrapping silk ligature and inoculating with putative periodontopathic bacteria; Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi treatment group (SG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi; Radix paeoniae Alba treatment group (RG): periodontitis was induced by the same method described above, the mice were gavaged with Radix paeoniae Alba.Four mice were sacrificed at each time point of the end of 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks in each group. The histopathological changes of periodontal tissue were observed under microscope with HE staining. The level of serum IgG1 and IgG2a was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) .

RESULTSA serious inflammatory response, alveolar progressive absorption and a large number of osteoclasts were observed in the experimental periodontitis group.However, in SG and RG, the inflammation of the periodontal tissue was decreased and tissue repair was significant. The level of serum IgG2a in SG (6 week:0.934 ± 0.006, 8 week:0.743 ± 0.009, 10 week: 0.674 ± 0.008) and RG (6 week: 1.023 ± 0.032, 8 week: 0.851 ± 0.032, 10 week:0.790 ± 0.009) was significantly decreased after the mice were gavaged with the two herbs(P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG2a in SG was significantly lower than that of RG (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG (6 week: 0.314 ± 0.006, 8 week: 0.344 ± 0.004, 10 week: 0.367 ± 0.006) and RG (6 week: 0.287 ± 0.005, 8 week: 0.303 ± 0.058, 10 week: 0.336 ± 0.006) were significantly increased (P < 0.01). The level of serum IgG1 in SG was significantly higher than that of RG (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth the aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Radix paeoniae Alba showed therapeutic effect on periodontitis in mice.Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi was more effective than Radix paeoniae Alba.

Aconitum ; Animals ; Immunoglobulin G ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Paeonia ; Periodontitis ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; Water

Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) and Scutellaria barbata (S. barbata) are common medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family. Both produce specific flavonoid compounds, including baicalein, scutellarein, norwogonin, and wogonin, as well as their glycosides, which exhibit antioxidant and antitumor activities. Here, we report chromosome-level genome assemblies of S. baicalensis and S. barbata with quantitative chromosomal variation (2n = 18 and 2n = 26, respectively). The divergence of S. baicalensis and S. barbata occurred far earlier than previously reported, and a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event was identified. The insertion of long terminal repeat elements after speciation might be responsible for the observed chromosomal expansion and rearrangement. Comparative genome analysis of the congeneric species revealed the species-specific evolution of chrysin and apigenin biosynthetic genes, such as the S. baicalensis-specific tandem duplication of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase and chalcone synthase, and the S. barbata-specific duplication of genes encoding 4-CoA ligase. In addition, the paralogous duplication, colinearity, and expression diversity of CYP82D subfamily members revealed the functional divergence of genes encoding flavone hydroxylase between S. baicalensis and S. barbata. Analyzing these Scutellaria genomes reveals the common and species-specific evolution of flavone biosynthetic genes. Thus, these findings would facilitate the development of molecular breeding and studies of biosynthesis and regulation of bioactive compounds.
Evolution, Molecular ; Flavonoids/biosynthesis* ; Genome, Plant ; Plant Extracts/genetics* ; Scutellaria/metabolism* ; Whole Genome Sequencing

To study the physiological ecology responses of Scutellaria baicalensis to drought and rewatering of short period, we tested and analyzed photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of S. baicalensis leaves processed by different ways of water treatment in drought and rewatering period, characteristic indexes of physiology and biochemistry of root SOD, POD, PAL, C4H, etc. and accumulation dynamic change of root baicalin and baicalein. The result showed that along with the worsening drought, P(n), T(r), G(s) and F(v)/F(m) of S. baicalensis declined in different water supply, and F(o) increased. The response of SOD and POD's activity in S. baicalensis root to drought in I and II was earlier than it in III. The response time and increase range of baicalin accumulation existed differences in different water supply, and the indexes regained after rewatering. Therefore, photosynthesis of S. baicalensis changed and it destroyed the antioxidant metabolism balance when soil water content decreased resulting from drought. The synergistic effect of defence mechanism launched by S. baicalensis, SOD, POD, PAL, C4H, baicalin and baicalein reduced active oxygen's damage to the cell.
Agricultural Irrigation ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Droughts ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Water ; metabolism

To discuss the effect of environmental factors and photosynthesis on the growing of plant and the content of active components in Scutellaria baicalensis, the photosynthetic physiology index and diurnal changes of flavonoid constituent of S. Baicalensis were observed and tested in flowering and fruiting stages, and in the meantime environmental parameters were recorded. The obtained data were analyzed data by using path analysis and gray correlation analysis. The results showed that PAR and SWC were important environmental factors impacting on photosynthesis of S. baicalensis. SWC, RH and Ca were important environmental factors impacting on baicalin content. PAR, Po and Ta were important environmental factors impacting on baicalein content.
Environment ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the pollen germination in vitro and pollen tube growth of Scutellaria baicalensis.

METHODTwo years-old S. baicalensis that in the experiment field of Shangluo university were used as the materials. The effects of culture medium, sucrose, PEG, pH value, culture time and temperature on the pollen germination and tube growth of S. baicalensis were investigated using the method of liquid culture.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe results showed that 100 g x L(-1) sucrose was helpful for the germination and growth of pollens. However, higher concentration of sucrose would inhibit strongly pollen germination and the growth of pollen tubes. PEG could accelerate pollen germination and tube growth, and the optimal concentration was 150 g x L(-1). The optimum culture medium was BK and BK + 10% sucrose + 150 g x L(-1) PEG (pH 5.8) , and the latter was more benefit for pollen germination and tube growth. The pollen of germination was better at 25-35 degrees C, and it was the best at 30 degrees C for 2-3 hours, while pollen tube growth was slower at 25 degrees C.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; metabolism ; Germination ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Pollen Tube ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Temperature

The increasing demand of Chinese materia medica could not be supplied by wild resource, and the cultivated medicinal materials become popular, which led to decreased quality of many medicinal materials due to the difference of the circumstance between the wild and the cultivated. How to improve quality becomes key points of Chinese medicine resource. The leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis were sprayed with H₂O₂, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) changed little, but there had been a marked decrease of peroxidase (POD) and ascorbic oxidase (APX), which showed that the antioxidase system declined. Meanwhile, H₂O₂, as enhanced the expression of phenylalnine ammonialyase (PAL) and β-glucuronidase (GUS) as well as activity of PAL, promoted the biosynthesis and biotransformation of flavonoids. At the day 2 after treated, H₂O₂ of 0.004 μmol·L⁻¹ the contents of the baicalin and the wogonoside decreased slightly, but the contents of the baicalein and the wogonin increased significantly, the baicalein from 0.094% to 0.324%, the wogonin from 0.060% to 0.110%, i. e. increased 246% and 83.3%, respectively.
Ascorbate Oxidase ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Glucuronidase ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase ; metabolism ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; metabolism ; Secondary Metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEMetabonomics researches of Scutellariae Radix interfering pyretic pulmonary syndrome had been done, to determine the specific biomarkers of pyretic pulmonary syndrome, and to approach the mechanism that Scutellariae Radix interfered the variation of these biomarkers.

METHODMetabonomics technique, UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analytical means and PCA statistical methods were utilized to investigate the trajectory change and inter-relationship of urinary metabolome of rats treated differently.

RESULTSix specific biomarkers were determined which could represent Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced pyretic pulmonary syndrome in rats. Scutellariae Radix could significantly adjust the ascended biomarkers to the normal level. Meanwhile two of these biomarkers were identified as Delta-12-prostaglandin J2 and indoxyl sulfate.

CONCLUSIONThere was a good therapeutic function of Scutellariae Radix on pyretic pulmonary syndrome, which was elucidated on the metabolic aspects. There was also a correlationship between the mechanism of Scutellariae Radix curing pyretic pulmonary syndrome and the six specific biomarkers.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Lung Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Pneumococcal Infections ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the absorption kinetics of baicalin and baicalein in rats' stomachs and intestines.

METHODThe drug concentration by in situ perfusion in rats were determined by HPLC.

RESULTThe hourly absorption percentages of baicalin in stomach, small intestine and colon were 8.05%, - 0.94% and 2.32%, respectively, and baioalein with 34.53%, 30.61% and 4.89%, respectively. The absorption rate constants of baicalein were 0.090 7, 0.083 7, 0.076 6 and 0.048 3, respectively in duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon.

CONCLUSIONBaicalin is moderately absorbed in stomach and poorly in small intestine and colon; Baicalein is well absorbed in stomach and small intestine but worse in colon, suggesting that the former is more suitable to be administered orally. The extensive absorption segments of bacailein suggests that it can be processed into a sustained-release preparation.

Animals ; Colon ; metabolism ; Duodenum ; metabolism ; Flavanones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; Stomach ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study ingredients penetrable through placental barrier by administering pregnant rats with Scutellaria Radix extract using HPLC-MS.

METHODRats in early, middle and late pregnancy were intragastrically administered with Scutellaria Radix extract for 5 days. Maternal plasma and embryonic tissues were obtained at 1.5, 12 h after the final administration of Scutellaria Radix extract to determine ingredients of biological specimens.

RESULTUnder the optimum experimental conditions, seven compounds were detected in all pregnant rat plasma, specifically including baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A. The seven compounds were also discovered in embryonic tissues of rats in early pregnancy, including the five detected compounds. But they were not detected in embryonic tissues of rats in middle pregnancy, and six compounds except baicalein were detected embryonic tissues of rats in late pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONIngredients contained in Scutellaria Radix are detected in pregnant rats at different stages, except those in middle pregnancy, indicating a potential in utero exposure in case of oral administration of Scutellaria Radix pregnancy. Therefore, a study of embryotoxicity shall be continued to evaluate the safety of Scutellaria Radix extract.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry