Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract Research Articles

Composite Polysaccharide Hydrogel Loaded with Scutellaria baicalensis Extract for Diabetic Wound Treatment.

Diabetic wounds present significant burdens to both patients and the healthcare system due to their prolonged inflammatory phase and adverse microenvironment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SE), has shown promise in wound healing. Herein, sesbania gum (SG) was oxidized and formed hydrogel with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) through the imine bond. Then, SE was loaded into the hydrogel as a wound dressing (CMCS-OSG@SE hydrogel). In vitro experiments demonstrated the mechanical properties and ROS scavenging efficiency of the hydrogel, as well as the release of SE and its biocompatibility. In an vivo study, diabetic mice with S. aureus infection were used, and the CMCS--OSG@SE hydrogel dressing accelerated wound healing by promoting epidermal regeneration and collagen deposition. This composite polysaccharide hydrogel loaded with SE shows great potential for diabetic wound treatment.

Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract-Induced Exosomes on the Periodontal Stem Cells and Immune Cells under Fine Dust.

In adverse environments, fine dust is linked to a variety of health disorders, including cancers, cardiovascular, neurological, renal, reproductive, motor, systemic, and respiratory diseases. Although PM10 is associated with oral inflammation and cancer, there is limited research on biomaterials that prevent damage caused by fine dust. In this study, we evaluated the effects of biomaterials using microRNA profiling, flow cytometry, conventional PCR, immunocytochemistry, Alizarin O staining, and ELISA. Compared to SBE (Scutellaria baicalensis extract), the preventive effectiveness of SBEIEs (SBE-induced exosomes) against fine dust was approximately two times higher. Furthermore, SBEIEs promoted cellular differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) into osteoblasts, periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs), and pulp progenitor cells (PPCs), enhancing immune modulation for oral health against fine dust. In terms of immune modulation, SBEIEs activated the secretion of cytokines such as IL-10, LL-37, and TGF-β in T cells, B cells, and macrophages, while attenuating the secretion of MCP-1 in macrophages. MicroRNA profiling revealed that significantly modulated miRNAs in SBEIEs influenced four biochemical categories: apoptosis, cellular differentiation, immune activation, and anti-inflammation. These findings suggest that SBEIEs are an optimal biomaterial for developing oral health care products. Additionally, this study proposes functional microRNA candidates for the development of pharmaceutical liposomes.

Alleviation of favipiravir-induced hepatotoxicity using hepatoprotective herbal extracts in wistar rats

Teratogenicity and hyperuricaemia are the main side effects of favipiravir, an antiviral drug recently found its use to treat mild to moderate coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. This study investigated the beneficial effect of herbal extracts like Picrorrhiza kurroa (PK) and Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and their active chemical constituents (baicalin and baicalein) on favipiravir-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The formulation combinations included favipiravir, favipiravir + PK extract, favipiravir + pure baicalin, favipiravir + pure baicalein, and favipiravir + SB extract designated as F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 respectively that were administered to rats orally for 21 days. Favipiravir caused increased levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, total bilirubin, and uric acid and decreased liver weight which was alleviated when alloherbal formulation of favipiravir and baicalein combination and favipiravir and SB extract was used. This paper highlights an attractive proposition to ameliorate favipiravir-induced hepatotoxicity using hepatoprotective agents.

Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking Analysis and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Scutellaria baicalensis in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis.

Traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria Baicalensis (SB), one of the clinical firstline heat-clearing drugs, has obvious symptomatic advantages for hepatic fibrosis with dampness-heat stasis as its syndrome. We aim to predict and validate the potential mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients against liver fibrosis more scientifically and effectively. The underlying mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis in inhibiting hepatic fibrosis was studied by applying network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Expression levels of markers in activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) after administration of three Scutellaria baicalensis extracts were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively, in order to verify the anti-fibrosis effect of the active ingredients Results: There are 164 common targets of drugs and diseases screened and 115 signaling pathways obtained, which were mainly associated with protein phosphorylation, senescence and negative regulation of the apoptotic process. Western blot and Real-time PCR showed that Scutellaria baicalensis extracts could reduce the expression of HSC activation markers, and Oroxylin A had the strongest inhibitory effect on it. Molecular docking results showed that Oroxylin A had high binding activity to target proteins. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrates promising stability of the Oroxylin A-AKT1 complex over the simulated MD time of 200 ns. Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients may inhibit HSC proliferation, reduce the generation of pro-inflammatory factors and block the anti-inflammatory effect of inflammatory signal transduction by inducing HSC apoptosis and senescence, thus achieving the effect of anti-fibrosis.

A novel formula of herbal extracts regulates growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal microbiota and resistance against Aeromonas veronii in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

In this study, a novel herbal extracts formula (HE) comprising Scutellaria baicalensis, Taraxacum mongolicum, Biancaea sappan and Pulsatilla chinensis extract with a weight ratio of 3.0: 1.8: 3.0: 1.7, was selected based on bacteriostatic test in vitro. Subsequently, a 30-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary HE (0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 and 1.00%, respectively) inclusion on the performance of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The results unveiled that dietary HE 0.10% and HE 0.50% inclusion notably increased the specific growth rate (SGR) and antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GPX) activities in the intestine and liver of fish (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significantly greater height of villi and width of villi were observed in the HE 0.50% and HE 0.10% groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Conversely, histological examination indicated that dietary HE1.00% inclusion led to discernible injury to the intestines, with certain villi displaying breakage and shedding. Hematological parameters including white blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) were significantly increased, while the erythrocyte indices including average cellular hemoglobin (MCH), and average cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) remarkably decreased in fish fed HE inclusion compared to the basal diet. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis demonstrated that Cetobacterium, Aeromonas and Plesiomonas were the three dominant species in the intestines regardless of diet. Additionally, the LEfSe analysis revealed that Aeromonas was the most affected taxon, which significantly decreased in the HE 0.10%, HE 0.50% and HE 1.00% groups (p < 0.05), while the Cetobacterium content remarkably increased in HE 0.10% and HE 0.50% groups (p < 0.05). Finally, the highest survival rate of fish infected with Aeromonas veronii HZ012 was observed in the group supplemented with 0.50% HE. Collectively, our study revealed that the supplementation of HE at a proportion of 0.10–0.50% could lead to a promotion of growth performance, maintenance of liver and intestinal health, as well as a protective effect against A. veronii infection in largemouth bass.

배, 맥아, 대추, 익모초, 황금 및 이들 혼합물의 생리활성

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, trypsin activity, and antioxidant effects of 11 kinds of plant extracts to discover materials for developing optimal mixtures that improve inflammation and help digestion. Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (ZJ), Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (LJ), Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), Platycodon grandiflorum, and Aster scaber extracts had excellent anti-inflammatory effects by reducing excessive nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α content in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The malt (MA), Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai (PP), Raphanus sativus L., Platycodon grandiflorum extracts among the 11 kinds of plant extracts had high trypsin activity. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was examined by the DPPH radical scavenging activity, and the SB, PE, JU, and MA extracts had high antioxidant activity. Therefore, PP, MA, ZJ, LJ, and SB were selected to develop optimal mixtures that improve inflammation and help digestion. The extract of plant mixture containing PP, MA, ZJ, LJ, and SB in the ratio 1:1:2:1:2 (w/w) significantly inhibited NO production than the extract of PP, MA, ZJ, LJ, and SB, respectively, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the mixture extract was significantly higher than the extract of PP, MA, ZJ, and LJ, respectively.

Influence of scutellaria baicalensis extract on the thermo‐oxidative and composting stability of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)

AbstractScutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE), as a natural phenolic antioxidant, was added to poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix. With the addition of SBE, both the short‐term and long‐term antioxidant activity of PBAT samples noticeably improved. The results showed that the oxidation onset temperature (OOT) value of the modified sample (PBAT‐SBE2.5 sample) is increased by 62°C versus neat PBAT. Compared with neat PBAT with decreased OOT value after 240 days of storage, the OOT values of modified samples showed no significant change after long‐term storage. The excellent antioxidant activity is attributed to the high total phenolic content in SBE, which provides significant free radical scavenging efficiency. Additionally, the introduction of SBE could effectively enhance the processing performance of the PBAT matrix, the melt flow rate of PBAT‐SBE2.5 increased by ca. 42.6%. Compared with neat PBAT, the addition of SBE has no obvious effect on the mechanical properties of the matrix, the tensile strength remains unchanged and the elongation at break of PBAT‐SBE2.5 retains 74%. Composting degradation experiment indicated that the SBE promoted the degradation of PBAT. Moreover, SBE could reduce the surface hydrophilic tendency of the film materials. All results reveal that SBE was a good natural multifunctional stabilizer for PBAT.Highlights SBE shows high total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activity. SBE improves the short‐term and long‐term antioxidant activity of PBAT. The addition of SBE promoted the degradation of PBAT films. SBE could effectively enhance the processing performance of the PBAT matrix.

The influence of Scutellaria baicalensis extract obtained from traditional Chinese herbal medicine on the thermo‐oxidative degradation and stabilization of plasticized polylactic acid

AbstractDespite the advantage of biodegradability, polylactic acid (PLA) has some processing and application drawbacks, such as poor thermal oxygen stability. Herein, the modified PLA samples were prepared by mixing PLA granules, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), and Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE) obtained from traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Results revealed that the introduction of SBE improves the thermal oxidation stability of PLA‐ATBC matrix. When the content of SBE was 2.0 wt%, the oxidation onset temperature value of the modified sample is increased by 68°C versus PLA‐ATBC. The excellent antioxidant performance is attributed to the outstanding free radical quenching capacity of SBE. The introduction of SBE slightly decreased the degradation rate of PLA‐ATBC in an enzyme degradation process, which may be due to the SBE reducing the enzyme activity. Moreover, the addition of small amounts of SBE into the PLA‐ATBC matrix has little influence on polymer crystallization behavior, just decreased by ca. 8.6% (PLA‐ATBC‐SBE2.0 sample). SBE has no obvious effect on the water vapor permeability and surface wettability of PLA‐ATBC membranes. All results reveal that the SBE could play a role in the thermal oxygen stability of PLA‐ATBC without much change in its other performances.

Effects of dietary Scutellaria baicalensis extract on growth performance, immune-related genes expression, and resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

In this study dietary Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE) was used to improve the shrimps' immune response and its resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus. SBE obtained by solid-liquid extraction (SLE) has shown stronger antibacterial activity against V. parahaemolyticus compared to extracts obtained through the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method. A stronger immune response, such as the production of reactive oxygen species and the induction of expression of immune genes in hemocytes was seen in the SBE (SLE) treated group in vitro.SBE (SLE) had better immune stimulation effects and bactericidal activity than SBE (PLE) and therefore was chosen for in vivo feeding trial. The group fed with 1% SBE showed a better growth performance after 2 weeks of the feeding trial, but the growth-promoting effects did not last until the end of the trial at week four.Higher SBE intake reduced shrimp resistance to V. parahaemolyticus on week two but showed better resistance than the control group on the fourth week. Gene expression assays were used to investigate contradictory responses of the SBE-fed groups to V. parahaemolyticus at different times. Most of the genes examined in the selected tissues were not significantly changed, suggesting that the higher mortality of shrimp fed with high dose of SBE was not due to suppression of immune-related genes at earlier time point.Collectively, the bioactivity of SBE is influenced by the extraction conditions. Higher dietary doses of SBE (1% and 5%) improved the resistance of the white shrimp to V. parahaemolyticus after a longer feeding period (week four), but caution should be taken when applying SBE in the feed since a vulnerable status (week two) was seen during the feeding trial.

Influence of Active Packaging Covered with Coatings Containing Mixtures of Glycyrrhiza L. and Scutellaria baicalensis Extracts on the Microbial Purity and Texture of Sliced Chicken Sausages

Sliced chicken sausages were packed into polyethylene (PE) bags (control samples) and PE bags were covered with active coatings. The sausage slices were separated into two categories: non-coated (control samples) spacers and spacers covered with the antimicrobial coating. The chicken sausage slices were stored at 5 °C and examined after 72 h and 144 h storage times. Results obtained in this work demonstrated that the springiness of the chicken sausage slices decreased after 72 h of storage for all of the analysed packaging bags/films. Different results were obtained after 144 h of storage. In contrast to the samples stored in uncoated bags, the springiness of sausage slices stored in the active packaging decreased. Textural parameters with regards to chewiness, gumminess and cohesiveness were found to be greater after 72 h of storage for samples stored in the uncoated bags than for the sausage stored in active packaging materials. Contradictory results were observed after 144 h of storage. It was found that water loss from the sliced chicken sausage in active bags was lower than in uncoated PE bags. Microbial analysis showed that the packaging material covered with a coating containing a mixture of Scutellaria baicalensis* and Glycyrrhiza L. extracts in the ratio of 1:2 was found to be more effective against mesophilic bacterial cells than a coating containing the mixture of these extracts in the ratio of 2*:1 after 72 h. The effect of active coatings on the number of bacterial cells was negligible after 144 h of storage.

Protective and therapeutic effects of Scutellaria baicalensis and its main active ingredients baicalin and baicalein against natural toxicities and physical hazards: a review of mechanisms.

Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) has been traditionally used to combat a variety of conditions ranging from ischemic heart disease to cancer. The protective effects of SB are due to the action of two main flavonoids baicalin (BA) and baicalein (BE). This paper aimed to provide a narrative review of the protective and antidotal effects of SB and its main constituents against natural toxicities and physical hazards. Scientific databases Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched, based on different keywords for in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies which reported protective or therapeutic effects of SB or its constituents in natural and physical toxicities. Numerous studies have reported that treatment with BE, BA, or total SB extract prevents or counteracts the detrimental toxic effects of various natural compounds and physical hazards. The toxic agents include mycotoxins, lipopolysaccharide, multiple plants and animal-derived substances as well as physical factors which negatively affected vital organs such as CNS, liver, kidneys, lung and heart. Increasing the expression of radical scavenging enzymes and glutathione content as well as inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-apoptotic mediators were important mechanisms of action. Different studies on the Chinese skullcap have exhibited that its total root extract, BA or BE can act as potential antidotes or protective agents against the damage induced by natural toxins and physical factors by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the scarcity of high-quality clinical evidence means that further clinical studies are required to reach a more definitive conclusion.

Scutellaria baicalensis and its constituents baicalin and baicalein as antidotes or protective agents against chemical toxicities: a comprehensive review.

Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), also known as the Chinese skullcap, has a long history of being used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions ranging from microbial infections to metabolic syndrome and malignancies. Numerous studies have reported that treatment with total SB extract or two main flavonoids found in its root and leaves, baicalin (BA) and baicalein (BE), can prevent or alleviate the detrimental toxic effects of exposure to various chemical compounds. It has been shown that BA and BE are generally behind the protective effects of SB against toxicants. This paper aimed to review the protective and therapeutic effects of SB and its main components BA and BE against chemical compounds that can cause intoxication after acute or chronic exposure and seriously affect different vital organs including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. In this review paper, we had a look into a total of 221 in vitro and in vivo studies from 1995 to 2021 from the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science which reported protective or therapeutic effects of BA, BE, or SB against drugs and chemicals that one might be exposed to on a professional or accidental basis and compounds that are primarily used to simulate disease models. In conclusion, the protective effects of SB and its flavonoids can be mainly attributed to increase in antioxidants enzymes, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reduction of inflammatory cytokines, and suppression of apoptosis pathway.

Scutellaria baicalensis Extract-phospholipid Complex: Preparation and Initial Pharmacodynamics Research in Rats.

Background Baicalin, a flavonoid glycoside compound present in Scutellaria baicalensis, has shown a wide spectrum of biological activities, but its liposolubility, water-solubility and mucosal permeability are all very poor, which leads to the low concentration in brain and poor bioavailability by oral or intravenous injective administration.Objectives The primary objective of this study was to formulate the Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE) with phospholipid to yield Scutellaria baicalensis extract-phospholipid complex (SBEPC), and to evaluate its pharmacodynamics in the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).Methods The optimal preparation technology of SBEPC was obtained through single-factor test and central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM), and was characterized with various analytical techniques including SEM, FT-IR and NMR. The storage conditions of SBEPC were established through stability study and the MCAO rat model was investigated through conducting pharmacodynamic studies to screen the appropriate administration and dose of SBEPC as well as to verify the neuroprotective effect of SBEPC on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Results The optimized preparation conditions of SBEPC were summarized as follows: the ratio of phospholipids to drug was 2:1, the drug concentration was 3.5 mg/ml, the reaction temperature was 50 °C, and the entrapment efficiency was over 93.00%. Stability studies have demonstrated that SBEPC should be stored under 40 °C in a dry and ventilated place away from light and below 37% humidity. Furthermore, pharmacodynamic studies have found that, compared with SBE, SBEPC could introduce drugs into the brain and better exert the neuroprotective effect on MCAO rats, and the optimal administration and dose concentration of SBEPC were nasal administration and 40 mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion These findings demonstrate that SBEPC is successfully prepared by CCD-RSM. SBEPC can enhance drugs' ability to enter the brain and improve the bioavailability of drugs in brain, and can effectively exert the neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury as compared with SBE.

The Potential of Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds in the Fight Against COVID-19

The Potential of Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds in the Fight Against COVID-19

ANTI-INFLUENZA ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS OF THE LAMIACEAE FAMILY

In this work, it was revealed that water and ethanol extracts of the plants Nepeta cataria, Nepeta sibirica, Scutellaria baicalensis, Hyssopus officinalis, Betonica officinalis, and water extracts of Dracocephalum moldavica, Glechoma hederacea, Mentha arvensis, Prunella vulgaris, Melissa officinalis ethanol extracts of Mentha piperita, Mentha crispa, Origanum vulgare, Hyssopus officinalis, Salvia verticillata showed antiviral activity against the influenza virus subtype H5N1. Aqueous extracts of Nepeta cataria and Glechoma hederacea (NI 3.75) showed the highest antiviral effect against the H5N1 subtype.&#x0D; It was revealed the antiviral activity against influenza virus subtype H3N2 of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis, Mentha piperita, Mentha arvensis, Mentha crispa, aqueous extract of Dracocephalum moldavica and ethanol extracts of Glechoma hederacea, Origanum vulgare, Prunella vulgaris, Hyssopus officinalis, Betonica officinalis, Salvia verticillata. Ethanolic extract of Betonica officinalis (NI 4.25) showed the highest virus neutralizing activity against the H3N2 subtype.&#x0D; It was carried out chemical analysis of the aerial parts of plants of the Lamiaceae family. It was shown that the highest content of flavonols was observed in Dracocephalum nutans (4.47±0.04%), the highest content of tannins was found in Mentha arvensis (17.62 ± 0.78%), and the highest content catechins were found in Nepeta cataria (0.43 ± 0.007%).&#x0D; Thus, plant extracts of the Lamiaceae family are promising sources for further studies to develop new antiviral drugs.

BS21, a combination of Phyllostachys pubescens and Scutellaria baicalensis extracts, reduces adiposity and hyperuricemia in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

BS21, a combination of Phyllostachys pubescens and Scutellaria baicalensis extracts, reduces adiposity and hyperuricemia in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

The herbal extract deriving from aerial parts of Scutellaria baicalensis shows anti-inflammation and anti-hypoxia responses in cultured fin cells from rabbit fish

A new cell line derived from dorsal fin of rabbit fish Siganus fuscescens was developed and characterized. The cell line was isolated from the dorsal fin, named as rabbit fish fin (RFF) cell line, and which was sub-cultured for 50 cycles since the development. This cell line was tested for growth in different temperatures and serum concentrations, and the best growing condition was at 20% serum at 28 °C. In cultured RFF cells, amplification of 18S rRNA from genomic DNA and immunostaining of cellular cytokeratin confirmed the proper identity of S. fuscescens fish. After 30th passage of cultures, the cells were exposed to challenge of inflammation, triggered by LPS, and hypoxia, mimicked by CoCl2. Cultured RFF cells showed robust sensitive responses to inflammation and hypoxia in directing the expressions of cytokines and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). The water extract of aerial part of Scutellaria baicalensis (SBA) has been shown in rabbit fish to prevent inflammation. Here, we extended this notion of testing the efficacy of SBA extract in the developed cultured RFF cells. Application of SBA extract inhibited the expression of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines, i.e. IL-1β, IL-6, as well as the signaling of NF-κB. The application of CoCl2 in cultured RFF cells triggered the hypoxia-induced cell death and up regulation of HIF-1α. As expected, applied SBA extract in the cultures prevented the hypoxia-induced signaling. Our results show the established RFF cell line may be served as an ideal in vitro model in drug screening relating to inflammation and hypoxia. Additionally, we are supporting the usage of SBA herbal extract in fish aquaculture, which possesses efficacy against inflammation and hypoxia.

Advantages of Scutellaria baicalensis extracts over just baicalin in the ultrasonically assisted multi-functional treatment of linen fabrics

Recently plant extracts with intrinsic properties of green, safe and eco-friendly were more often integrated with textiles to endow the fabric with multi-functions such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidation and anti-ultraviolet. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the role of active constituents in plant extracts on the functionalization of textiles. Herein, Scutellaria baicalensis (chinese skullcap) extracts (SBE) and its main active ingredient, baicalin, were effectively combined with linen fabric by means of impregnation and ultrasonic treatment respectively. The treated linen fabrics were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, DTG analysis and the relevant functions such as anti-microbial activity, antioxidant activity and ultraviolet protection ability as well as durability of functionalities were also comparatively assessed. It was found that even with the same content of baicalin, the corresponding functions of the linen fabric treated by SBE are obviously better than treated by baicalin. The advantages of the SBE over just baicalin on the functionalization of linen fabric was analyzed and verified by experiments. The conclusion of this work will guide the quantitative addition of plant extracts on textile functional treatment.

Dietary supplementation of Scutellaria baicalensis extract during early lactation decreases milk somatic cells and increases whole lactation milk yield in dairy cattle.

Systemic inflammation is common in early lactation dairy cows and is associated with decreased milk production. The Scutellaria baicalensis plant contains flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which may counteract the inflammatory state in early lactation dairy cows. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE), a source of bioactive flavonoids, would alter the adaptation to lactation. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 122) were used in a randomized block design to determine the effect of short-term and long-term postpartum administration of SBE on 305-d milk yield, 120-d milk component yield, and early lactation milk markers of inflammation and metabolic function. Treatments were 1) control, 2) short term (5-d) administration of the SBE (SBE5), and 3) long term (60-d) administration of the SBE (SBE60). Treatments were included in a treatment pellet that was identical to a control pellet in ingredient source and composition except for the extract (10 g/d SBE providing 3.3 g/d of the flavonoid baicalin), both provided via an automated milking system beginning on d 1 of lactation. Milk samples were collected on d 1, 3, and once during d 5–12 of lactation, followed by weekly sampling until 120 days in milk (DIM). Milk samples collected in the first 2 wk were used for biomarker analysis (haptoglobin, β-hydroxybutyrate [BHB], and glucose-6-phosphate [G6P]), and all samples were used for composition analysis. Cows were body condition scored every 2 wk prepartum and postpartum. Milk production, programmed pellet allocation, and actual provision of both pelleted feeds were recorded daily. Treatment effects were evaluated by contrasts between control and SBE5 and control and SBE60 for both the treatment (TP; wk 1–9) and carryover periods (CP; wk 10–37). Total pellet offered was greater for SBE60 in both the TP (P < 0.01) and CP (P = 0.02) but was not different for SBE5 during either period (P ≥ 0.13). No treatment effects were observed for body condition score (BCS), milk haptoglobin, BHB, or G6P. SBE5 did not alter milk yield or milk components. SBE60 increased whole-lactation milk yield by 1,419 kg (13%; P = 0.03). SBE60 increased milk lactose and fat yields (P ≤ 0.04) and tended to increase milk protein yield (P = 0.09) during TP, and each increased during CP (P ≤ 0.04). Somatic cell count decreased by 10% in SBE60 during TP (P = 0.02) but not CP (P = 0.13). Mastitis incidence tended to differ by treatment, being lesser for both SBE5 and SBE60 vs. control (14 and 15% vs. 33%). SBE supplementation did not impact time to pregnancy or hazard of leaving the herd. In conclusion, despite no detected treatment effects on BCS or milk biomarkers of inflammation and metabolic status, supplementation of postpartum dairy cows with Scutellaria baicalensis extract for 60 d was effective at increasing whole lactation milk yield.

In vivo therapeutic effect of combination treatment with metformin and Scutellaria baicalensis on maintaining bile acid homeostasis.

The radix of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) is a herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat metabolic diseases. Several main components, including baicalin and wogonoside, possess anti-dyslipidemia, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. We hypothesized that co-administration of SB extract and metformin exerts a better effect on obesity-induced insulin resistance and lipid metabolism than treatment with metformin alone. We compared the effect of metformin (100 mg/10 mL/kg/day) alone with co-administration of metformin (100 mg/5 mL/kg/day) and SB extract (200 mg/5 mL/kg/day) on Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, a useful model of type II diabetes with obesity, and used Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats as a control. Weight, fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test, and serum total cholesterol were measured after 12 weeks of drug administration. We observed a synergetic effect of metformin and SB on lowering cholesterol level by excretion of bile acid through feces. We found that this accompanied activation of FXR, CYP7A1 and LDLR genes and repression of HMGCR in the liver. Although there were no significant changes in BSH-active gut microbiota due to high variability, functional prediction with 16S sequences showed increased primary and secondary bile acid biosynthesis in the combination treatment group. Further study is needed to find the specific strains of bacteria which contribute to FXR-related cholesterol and bile acid regulations.