title: Skullcapflavone I from Scutellaria baicalensis induces apoptosis in activated rat hepatic stellate cells.
abstract: The therapeutic goal in liver fibrosis is the reversal of fibrosis and the selective clearance by apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which play a central role in liver fibrogenesis. In this study, the apoptotic effect of wogonin, oroxylin A, 2',5,6',7-tetrahydroxyflavone, skullcapflavone I, and baicalein, isolated from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis, was investigated in activated rat HSCs, T-HSC/Cl-6 cells transformed with the Simian virus 40. Among the isolated compounds, skullcapflavone I (20 microM for 24 h) significantly induced apoptosis in activated rat HSCs while there was no change in the cell viability of hepatocytes. Skullcapflavone I increased caspase-3 and -9 activities accompanied by the proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Specific inhibitors of caspase-3 and caspase-9 prevented the apoptotic process induced by skullcapflavone I. From these results, skullcapflavone I from S. baicalensis selectively induced apoptosis in T-HSC/Cl-6 cells via caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jeon
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yu-Zhe
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Lihua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: Youn-Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Sohn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047309:Flavones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D047309:Flavones; D010936:Plant Extracts; C506426:skullcapflavone I; D020169:Caspases