title: Molecular effects of baicalein in Hct116 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans : activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and prolongation of lifespan.
abstract: Baicalein is a major compound of extracts derived from Scutellaria baicalensis Lamiaceae, which are used as food supplements. Baicalein possesses a high radical scavenging activity and decreases intracellular reactive oxygen species in Hct116 human colon carcinoma cells and in Caenorhabditis elegans . It activates Nrf2, a key transcription factor that binds to the antioxidant responsive element (ARE): Baicalein causes a nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, increases ARE-dependent luciferase activity, and enhances the expression of heme oxygenase-1 in Hct116 cells. Additionally, accumulation of the Nrf2 homologue SKN-1 in nuclei of intestinal cells of C. elegans was observed. Lifespan analysis revealed that baicalein extends the mean, median, and maximum lifespans of the nematode by 45, 57 and 24%, respectively. Because SKN-1 activation is associated with prolongation of lifespan, the results suggest that baicalein increases the lifespan of C. elegans by activation of the Nrf2/SKN-1 signaling pathway.
authors: Institute of Toxicology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität , P.O. Box 101007, 40001 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors: Susannah
authors: S
authors: Havermann
authors: Ricarda
authors: R
authors: Rohrig
authors: Yvonni
authors: Y
authors: Chovolou
authors: Hans-Ulrich
authors: HU
authors: Humpf
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Wätjen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D044950:Flavanones; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human; C006680:baicalein