title: Protective effects of the aqueous extract of Scutellaria baicalensis against acrolein-induced oxidative stress in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Labiatae) (SbG), one of the fifty fundamental herbs of Chinese herbology, has been reported to have anti-asthmatic, antifungal, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to determine the protective effects of the extract of SbG against the acrolein-induced oxidative stress in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The MTT reduction assay was employed to determine cell viability. The total cellular glutathione (GSH) level was detected using a colorimetric GSH assay kit. Cellular GSH production was conducted by detecting the mRNA expression levels of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit and modifier subunit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects of acrolein were observed while SbG could effectively protect the acrolein-induced oxidative damage. The protective mechanism was investigated, showing that the increased GSH content in the SbG-incubated HUVE cells was associated with the protective effects of SbG-treated cells. Further RT-PCR data confirmed the elevated mRNA expressions of GSH synthesis enzymes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study strongly indicated that SbG could be a potential antioxidant against oxidative stress in treating cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou.
authors.forename: Xing-Wei
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei-Fen
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei-Wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kan-Han
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Chao-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Ying-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yue-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000171:Acrolein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; C499814:Scutellaria baicalensis extract; D000171:Acrolein