Comparative Study of Extraction Solvents on the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis

  • Yoon, Tae-Sook (Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Cheon, Myeong-Sook (Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Seung-Ju (Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Lee, A-Yeong (Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Moon, Byeong-Cheol (Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Chun, Jin-Mi (Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Choo, Byung-Kil (Department of Crop Agriculture & Life Science, College of Agriculture & Life Science, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Kim, Ho-Kyoung (Center of Herbal Resources Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine)
  • Published : 2009.11.30

Abstract

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of different extracting solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, or n-hexane) on the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Scutellaria baicalensis (Lamiaceae), which has been used widely as a traditional herbal medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: The ability of each extract to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, TNF-$\alpha$, and $PGE_2$ by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells was measured. Results: The results showed that extraction solvents (except n-hexane) for S. baicalensis showed significant inhibitory effects on NO, TNF-$\alpha$ and $PGE_2$ production. Especially, methanol was the solvent with the greatest activity against NO and $PGE_2$ production. However, there was no difference between the extracts for inhibitory activity of TNF-$\alpha$. Conclusion: The present study suggests that methanol is a superior extraction solvent than water, ethanol, or n-hexane for maintaining the anti-inflammatory effects of S. baicalensis.

Keywords

References

  1. Pulendran B, Palucka K, Banchereau J. Sensing pathogens and tuning immune responses. Science. 2001; 293(5528):253-256. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1062060
  2. Kim HP, Son KH, Chang HW, Kang SS. Anti-inflammatory plant flavonoids and cellular action mechanisms. J Pharmacol Sci. 2004; 96(3):229-245. https://doi.org/10.1254/jphs.CRJ04003X
  3. Lee JH, Ko WS, Kim YH, Kang HS, Kim HD, Choi BT. Anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract from Lonicera japonica flower is related to inhibition of NF-kappaB activation through reducing I-kappaBalpha degradation in rat liver. Int J Mol Med. 2001; 7(1):79-83.
  4. Kubo M, Matsuda H, Tanaka M, Kimura Y, Okuda H, Higashino M, et al. Studies on Scutellariae radix. VII. Anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory actions of methanolic extract and flavonoid components from Scutellariae radix. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1984; 32(7):2724-2729. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.32.2724
  5. Zhang DY, Wu J, Ye F, Xue L, Jiang S, Yi J, et al. Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by Scutellaria baicalensis. Cancer Res. 2003; 63(14):4037-4043.
  6. Kubo M, Kimura Y, Odani T, Tani T, Namba K. Studies on Scutellariae radix. Part II: The antibacterial substance. Planta Med. 1981; 43(2):194-201. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-971499
  7. Kimura Y, Kubo M, Kusaka K, Tani T, Higashino M, Arichi S, et al. Studies on Scutellariae radix. V. Effects on ethanol-induced hyperlipemia and lipolysis in isolated fat cells. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1982; 30(1):219-222. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.30.219
  8. Chi YS, Lim H, Park H, Kim HP. Effects of wogonin, a plant flavone from Scutellaria radix, on skin inflammation: in vivo regulation of inflammation-associated gene expression. Biochem Pharmacol. 2003; 66(7):1271-1278. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-2952(03)00463-5
  9. Chen CY, Peng WH, Tsai KD, Hsu SL. Luteolin suppresses inflammation-associated gene expression by blocking NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation pathway in mouse alveolar macrophages. Life Sci. 2007; 81(23-24):1602-1614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2007.09.028
  10. Ishimaru K, Nishikawa K, Omoto T, Asai I, Yoshihira K, Shimomura K. Two flavone 2'-glucosides from Scutellaria baicalensis. Phytochemistry. 1995; 40(1):279-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00200-Q
  11. Choi J, Conrad CC, Malakowsky CA, Talent JM, Yuan CS, Gracy RW. Flavones from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi attenuate apoptosis and protein oxidation in neuronal cell lines. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2002; 1571(3):201-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4165(02)00217-9
  12. Horvath CR, Martos PA, Saxena PK. Identification and quantification of eight flavones in root and shoot tissues of the medicinal plant huang-qin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection. J Chromatogr A. 2005; 1062(2):199-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2004.11.030
  13. Koda A, Watanabe S, Yanagihara Y, Nagai H, Sakamoto K. A comparative study of the anti-allergic effects of disodium baicalein 6-phosphate (BPS) and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). Jpn J Pharmacol. 1977; 27(1):31-38. https://doi.org/10.1254/jjp.27.31
  14. Li BQ, Fu T, Gong WH, Dunlop N, Kung H, Yan Y, et al. The flavonoid baicalin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by binding to chemokines. Immunopharmacology. 2000; 49(3):295-306. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0162-3109(00)00244-7
  15. Li BQ, Fu T, Yan YD, Baylor NW, Ruscetti FW, Kung HF. Inhibition of HIV infection by baicalin--a flavonoid compound purified from Chinese herbal medicine. Cell Mol Biol Res. 1993; 39(2):119-124.
  16. Wu JA, Attele AS, Zhang L, Yuan CS. Anti-HIV activity of medicinal herbs: usage and potential development. Am J Chin Med. 2001; 29(1):69-81. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X01000083
  17. Chan FL, Choi HL, Chen ZY, Chan PS, Huang Y. Induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines by a flavonoid, baicalin. Cancer Lett. 2000; 160(2):219-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3835(00)00591-7
  18. Ikemoto S, Sugimura K, Yoshida N, Yasumoto R, Wada S, Yamamoto K, et al. Antitumor effects of Scutellariae radix and its components baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin on bladder cancer cell lines. Urology. 2000; 55(6):951-955. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0090-4295(00)00467-2
  19. Konoshima T, Kokumai M, Kozuka M, Iinuma M, Mizuno M, Tanaka T, et al. Studies on inhibitors of skin tumor promotion. XI. Inhibitory effects of flavonoids from Scutellaria baicalensis on Epstein-Barr virus activation and their anti-tumor-promoting activities. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1992; 40(2):531-533. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.40.531
  20. Gao Z, Huang K, Xu H. Protective effects of flavonoids in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HS-SY5Y cells. Pharmacol Res. 2001; 43(2):173-178. https://doi.org/10.1006/phrs.2000.0761
  21. Chen F, Chan KH, Jiang Y, Kao RY, Lu HT, Fan KW, et al. In vitro susceptibility of 10 clinical isolates of SARS coronavirus to selected antiviral compounds. J Clin Virol. 2004; 31(1):69-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2004.03.003
  22. Ma SC, Du J, But PP, Deng XL, Zhang YW, Ooi VE, et al. Antiviral Chinese medicinal herbs against respiratory syncytial virus. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 79(2):205-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00389-0
  23. Huang RL, Chen CC, Huang HL, Chang CG, Chen CF, Chang C, et al. Anti-hepatitis B virus effects of wogonin isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis. Planta Med. 2000; 66(8):694-698. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-9775
  24. Huang WH, Lee AR, Yang CH. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of polyhydroxy-flavonoids of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2006; 70(10):2371-2380. https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.50698
  25. Woo KJ, Jeong YJ, Inoue H, Park JW, Kwon TK. Chrysin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression through the inhibition of nuclear factor for IL-6 (NF-IL6) DNA-binding activity. FEBS Lett. 2005; 579(3):705-711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2004.12.048
  26. Woo KJ, Jeong YJ, Park JW, Kwon TK. Chrysin-induced apoptosis is mediated through caspase activation and Akt inactivation in U937 leukemia cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004; 325(4):1215-1222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.225
  27. Benkovic V, Orsolic N, Knezevic AH, Ramic S, Dikic D, Basic I, et al. Evaluation of the radioprotective effects of propolis and flavonoids in gamma-irradiated mice: the alkaline comet assay study. Biol Pharm Bull. 2008; 31(1):167-172. https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.31.167
  28. Kim YO, Leem K, Park J, Lee P, Ahn DK, Lee BC, et al. Cytoprotective effect of Scutellaria baicalensis in CA1 hippocampal neurons of rats after global cerebral ischemia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 77(2-3):183-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00283-5
  29. Paul A, Cuenda A, Bryant CE, Murray J, Chilvers ER, Cohen P, et al. Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase homologues in the regulation of lipopolysaccharide-mediated induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 but not nitric oxide synthase in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Cell Signal. 1999; 11(7):491-497. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0898-6568(99)00018-2
  30. Fujiwara N, Kobayashi K. Macrophages in inflammation. Curr Drug Targets Inflamm Allergy. 2005; 4(3):281-286. https://doi.org/10.2174/1568010054022024
  31. Carmichael J, DeGraff WG, Gazdar AF. Evaluation of a tetrazolium-based semiautomated colorimetric assay: assessment of chemosensitivity testing. Cancer Res. 1987; 47:936-941.
  32. Green LC, Wagner DA, Glogowski J, Skipper PL, Wishnok JS, Tannenbaum SR. Analysis of nitrate, nitrite, and [15N]nitrate in biological fluids. Anal Biochem. 1982; 126(1):131-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(82)90118-X
  33. Lin J-Y, Li C-Y, Hwang I-F. Characterisation of the pigment components in red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var.) juice and their anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated murine splenocytes. Food Chemistry. 2008; 109:771-781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.01.039
  34. Wakabayashi I. Inhibitory effects of baicalein and wogonin on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in macrophages. Pharmacol Toxicol. 1999; 84(6):288-291. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0773.1999.tb01496.x
  35. Shieh DE, Liu LT, Lin CC. Antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects of baicalein, baicalin and wogonin. Anticancer Res. 2000; 20:2861-2865.
  36. Butenko IG, Gladtchenko SV, Galushko SV. Anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of leukotriene $C_{4}$ biosynthesis in vitro by flavonoid baicalein from Scutellaria baicalensis georgy roots. Agents Actions. 1993; 39 Spec No:C49-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972717
  37. Chou TC, Chang LP, Li CY, Wong CS, Yang SP. The antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of baicalin in carrageenan-evoked thermal hyper-algesia. Anesth Analg. 2003; 97(6):1724-1729. https://doi.org/10.1213/01.ANE.0000087066.71572.3F