Chinese skullcap shown to improve lung injuries caused by myocardial ischemia

Researchers from the National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine in Taiwan found that baicalein, a compound present in Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), can inhibit production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and regulate pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling elements. The study was published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine.

• Chinese skullcap is used in traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular disease.
• Researchers looked at the efficacy of baicalein against lung injury brought about by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). To induce myocardial I/R, a 40-minute occlusion on the left anterior descending coronary artery was made. This increased histological damage, as well as the wet-to-dry weight ratio of lungs.
• In addition, it also significantly increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive nuclei and caspase-3 activation, including serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of TNF-a, interleukin-1-beta (IL-1B), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
• In the study, the researchers injected mice with 3, 10, and 30 mg of baicalein per kilogram of body weight for 10 minutes before inducing myocardial I/R.
• Mice treated with baicalein exhibited reduced histological damage, wet-to-dry-weight ratio, and lung apoptosis.
• Baicalein also inhibited TNF-a, IL-1B, and IL-6 levels from increasing.
• It also improved Bcl-2 and decreased p53, Bax, and cytochrome c levels in the lungs.

The researchers concluded that baicalein can help with the symptoms of lung injury after being induced with myocardial I/R.

Learn about the other benefits of Chinese skullcap at Herbs.news.

Journal Reference:

Lai CC, Huang PH, Yang AH, Chiang SC, Tang CY, Tseng KW, Huang C-H. BAICALEIN ATTENUATES LUNG INJURY INDUCED BY MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA AND REPERFUSION. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2017;45(04):791–811. DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X17500422