title: Biphasic effects of baicalin, an active constituent of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, in the spontaneous sleep-wake regulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Baicalin is an active compound originating from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which has been used for anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-hypertension, anti-allergy and sedation since ancient China, though the neuronal mechanisms involved in the sedative effect is still unclear. Baicalin possesses the ability to decrease the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity. Furthermore, baicalin has demonstrated an anxiolytic-like effect via activation of γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA(A)) receptors. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) and the GABAergic system promote sleep. This study was designed to determine whether the GABA(A) receptor activation and/or the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate(s) baicalin-induced sleep alterations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baicalin was intracerebroventricularly (ICV) administered 20 min either prior to the beginning of the light period or before the onset of the dark period. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and gross body movement were acquired for sleep analysis. Pharmacological blockade of IL-1 and GABA(A) receptors were employed to elucidate the involvements of IL-1 and GABA(A) receptors in baicalin-induced sleep alterations. IL-1β concentrations obtained after baicalin administration in several distinct brain regions were determined by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICV administration of baicalin decreased slow wave sleep (SWS) during the first 2h of the light period. Rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) was not altered. The blockade of IL-1β-induced SWS enhancement by baicalin suggests that the antagonism of IL-1 receptors is involved in baicalin-induced SWS decrement during the light period. However, IL-1β concentrations during the light period were not altered after baicalin administration. In contrast, baicalin increased both SWS and REMS during hours 8-10 of the dark (active) period when baicalin was administered at the beginning of the dark period, and its effects were blocked by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Baicalin exhibits biphasic effects on sleep-wake regulation; the decrease of SWS during the light period and increases of SWS and REMS during the dark period. Inhibition of IL-1 action and enhancement of GABA(A) receptor activity may mediate baicalin's effects during the light and dark period, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Han-Han
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Pei-Lu
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Chiung-Hsiang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chin-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yi-Tse
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Yi-Fong
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chia-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fang-Chia
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; C038044:baicalin