title: Baicalein inhibits oxidative stress-induced cellular damage via antioxidant effects.
abstract: Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a phenolic flavonoid compound derived mainly from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a medicinal plant traditionally used in oriental medicine. In our previous study, baicalein attenuated mitochondrial oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and by induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 transcription factor-mediated manganese superoxide dismutase. In the present study, the protective effects of baicalein against oxidative stress-induced damage, especially cellular components including DNA, lipid, and protein, were studied. The results of this study showed that baicalein scavenged intracellular ROS. Baicalein inhibited the H₂O₂-induced DNA damage that was demonstrated by decreased phospho-H2A.X expression and DNA tail formation. In addition, it prevented the lipid peroxidation shown by the fluorescence intensity of diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine and the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Moreover, baicalein inhibited protein oxidation demonstrated by protein carbonyl formation. Furthermore, baicalein protected cells via the inhibition of apoptosis induced by H₂O₂. The findings of this study suggest that baicalein provides protection for cellular components against oxidative damage via scavenging ROS and inhibiting apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Applied Radiological Science Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Ah
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Mei Jing
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Piao
authors.forename: Sungwook
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Hee Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kwang Sun
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Jin Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hyun
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D016466:CHO Cells; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D044950:Flavanones; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; C006680:baicalein; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide