Effect of Baicalin on the proliferation of Nosema ceranae in Apis cerana
Given the significant role of plant extracts and their bioactive components in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, this study aimed to evaluate baicalin, a natural compound isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, as a potential therapeutic agent against Nosema ceranae infection in Apis cerana. This approach may facilitate the more efficient identification of effective compounds or lead candidates for drug development. To this end, baicalin was used as the test substance, dissolved in 50% (w/v) sucrose solution with DMSO as a co-solvent. Three experimental groups were established: a baicalin-treated group (HG group ), a co-solvent control group (DMSO group), and a blank control group (C group ). Infected bees were fed the respective solutions. On day 7, we quantified the intestinal spore load of infected honeybees in each group and analyzed the Apis cerana gene transcriptome to screen for candidate differentially expressed genes associated with the effect of baicalin, followed by further investigation of their potential mechanisms of action.