Effect of baicalein from Scutellaria baicalensis on prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been thought to primarily involve damage to the sensory hair cells of the cochlea via mechanical and metabolic mechanisms. This study examined the effects of baicalin, baicalein, and Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) extract against NIHL in a mouse model. Mice received oral treatment with SB, baicalin, baicalein beginning 30 min prior to noise exposure and continuing once daily throughout the study. Hearing threshold shift was assessed by auditory brain stem responses for 35 days following noise exposure. Central auditory function was evaluated by auditory middle latency responses. Cochlear function was determined based on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions. SB significantly reduced threshold shift, central auditory function damage, and cochlear function deficits, suggesting that SB may protect auditory function in NIHL and that the active constituent may be a flavonoid, baicalein.
Kang
Tong Ho
TH
College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi 446-701, Republic of Korea.
Hong
Bin Na
BN
Park
Channy
C
Kim
Se Young
SY
Park
Raekil
R
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D044950:Flavanones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis / Q000737:chemistry
D044950:Flavanones; D005419:Flavonoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C499814:Scutellaria baicalensis extract; C038044:baicalin; C006680:baicalein