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

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 observe the effects of Dureping Injection on the contents of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the lung tissue of mice with pneumonia of influenza virus infection.

METHODSSixty-six ICR mice were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the low, middle, and high dose Dureping Injection groups (0.435, 0.870, and 1.740 mg/d, respectively), and the positive control group (Ribavirin, 2.500 mg/d), 11 in each. The pneumonia of mice with influenza virus infection model was established using influenza virus strain FM1. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0. 3 mL FM1 starting from the infection day, once daily. Five days later mice were killed to calculate the lung index. The pathomorphological changes of the lung tissue were observed using routine HE stained sections. The contents of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the homogenate of the lung tissue were detected by ELISA double antibody sandwich method.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, obvious inflammation occurred in the lung tissue of mice in the model group. The lung index, the content of MMP-9, and the value of MMP-9/TIMP-1 increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01) , while the content of TIMP-1 was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the content of MMP-9 in the low and middle dose Dureping Injection groups, and the positive control group was significantly lowered (P < 0.01). The content of TIMP-1 in the low, middle, and high dose Dureping Injection groups, as well as the positive control group significantly increased (P < 0.01) and the value of MMP-9/TIMP-1 decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDureping Injection could alleviate the inflammatory injury of the lung tissue through decreasing the content of MMP-9, elevating the content of TIMP-1 in the lung tissue, and regulating the value of MMP-9/TIMP-1 of mice with pneumonia of influenza virus infection, thus alleviating the inflammatory injury of the lung tissue.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pneumonia, Viral ; metabolism ; pathology ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Radix Scutellariae on the growth, metabolism of Porphyromonas endodontalis (P.e), as a preparation for studying the mechanism of Radix Scutellariae in treating pulp and periapical diseases.

METHODSP.e was chosen as the experimental bacteria. Radix Scutellariae was extracted by means of reflux with 80% ethanol. The value of MIC of Radix Scutellariae was measured by minute amount serial dilusion test, and the production of butyrate was measured by high liquid chromatograph(HPLC).

RESULTSRadix Scutellariae could inhibit the growth of P.e, of which the MIC was 100 mg/L. Following the increase in concentration of Radix Scutellariae, the amount of butyrate decreased to (3.527 +/- 0.009) mg/L, (3.048 +/- 0.005) mg/L, (2.490 +/- 0.011) mg/L, (2.209 +/- 0.016) mg/L, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRadix Scutellariae could inhibit the growth and metabolism of P.e and might be an effective agent in treating pulp and periapical diseases.

Bacteroidaceae Infections ; microbiology ; Butyrates ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dental Pulp ; microbiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Porphyromonas endodontalis ; metabolism ; Scutellaria ; chemistry