title: Cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of selected Scutellaria species from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), commonly known as 'Skullcaps', has been extensively used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Recently, much emphasis has been given to this genus due to the rich source of bioflavonoids that contribute to its biological properties. Therefore, different species of Scutellaria are being explored worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Cytotoxic, antioxidant, and phytochemical properties of Scutellaria colebrookiana Benth and S. violacea (Heyne ex Benth) Don collected (October 2009-February 2010) from Western Ghats of India have been analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro cytotoxicity and free radical scavenging effects of root extracts in various solvents were analysed. Spectrophotometric and HPLC methods were performed for phytochemical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chloroform extract exhibited significant cytotoxicity in Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells with IC(50) values 150 and 140 µg/mL for S. colebrookiana and 250 and 280 µg/mL for S. violacea, respectively. Moreover, the extract was effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting membrane peroxidation in vitro with IC(50) values 158.3 and 167.5 (superoxide), 17.5 and 28.0 (hydroxyl), 76.25 and 69.75 (DPPH), 24.5 and 28.0 (ABTS), 69.75 and 64.6 (lipid peroxidation), 41 and 31.5 µg/mL (erythrocyte hemolysis), respectively. Antioxidant effect observed with acetone extract was also comparable to that of chloroform extract. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of baicalein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Scutellaria species of Western Ghats showed cytotoxic and antioxidant potential and the presence of baicalein. This suggests that S. colebrookiana and S. violacea could be used as alternative sources for baicalein in view of the reported scarcity of S. baicalensis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salini
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chubicka
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sasidharan
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Sindhu
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Babu
mesh_terms: D000096:Acetone / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002725:Chloroform / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D031363:Scutellaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D044950:Flavanones; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000096:Acetone; C006680:baicalein; D002725:Chloroform