Baicalein

Baicalein (5,6,7-Trihydroxyflavone) is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 3.12 μM. IC50 & Target: IC50: 3.12 μM (xanthine oxidase)^[1] In Vitro: Baicalein suppresses mitogen induced T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion in vitro. Pre-treatment with baicalein significantly suppresses Con A or anti-CD3/CD28 mAb induced proliferation as well as cytokine secretion at 25 μM. Baicalein treatment induces DNA binding of NF-κB but inhibits thioredoxin activity in the nuclear compartment^[2]. Baicalein suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Baicalein significantly decreases the expression of SATB1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Baicalein also downregulates the expression of Wnt1 and β-catenin proteins and transcription level of Wnt/β-catenin-targeted genes^[3]. In Vivo: Baicalein suppresses induction of graft versus host disease but does not inhibit homeostatic proliferation of T-cells in mice. This observation clearly shows potent anti-inflammatory activity of baicalein in vivo^[2]. Rats treated with baicalein are protected against an increase in heart to body weight ratio, plasma level of brain natriuretic peptides, intraventricular septum thickness, myocardial collagen volume of left ventricle (all P<0.05, respectively). The antifibrotic effects of baicalein are further illustrated by the suppressed expression of left ventricle pro-collagens I and III accompanied by the decreased expression of 12-lipoxygenase, and by reduced expression and activity of matrix metallopeptidase 9 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Baicalein can inhibit cardiac fibrosis in hypertensive rats^[4].