Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs – Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis)

Thursday 7 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis)

Huang Qin is also Known as Baiscal skullcap root. The bitter and cold herb has been used in TCM as anti – histamine, anti allergenic, blood thinning and anti hepatitis B virus agent and to prevent atherosclerosis, enhance the digestive function, treat hypertension , anxiety, headache due to cold or flu, prostate Cancer, breast cancer, etc. by enhancing the functions of gallbladder, large intestine, lung and stomach channels

Ingredients
1. Baicalein
2. Baicalin
3. 5,6-dihydroxy-7-O-glucoside-flavone
4. Chrysin
5. 5, 7, 2′-trihydroxy-flavone
6. 5, 7, 2′, 3′-tetraflavone
7. 5, 7, 2′, 6′-tetraflavone
8. 5, 7, 2′-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone
9. Oroxylin-A
10. Oroxylin-A-glucoronide
11. 5, 7, 2′-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone
12. Nor-wogonin
13. 5, 8, 2′-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone
14. Wogonin
15. Etc.
Health Benefits
1. Tocolytic effect
In the investigation of the tocolytic effect of oroxylin the Oroxylin A, isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, showed that oroxylin A-mediated relaxation of the rat uterus might occur through opening of uterine calcium-dependent potassium channels or adenosine triphosphate potassium channel activation. This suggests that oroxylin A is the tocolytic principle constituent of Scutellariae Radix, and oroxylin A may provide a lead compound for new tocolytic drug development in the future, according to “In vitro study of the tocolytic effect of oroxylin A from Scutellaria baicalensis root” by Shih HC, Hsu CS, Yang LL.(1)
2. Pyretic pulmonary syndrome
UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analytical means and PCA statistical methods were utilized to investigate the trajectory change and inter-relationship of urinary metabolome of rats, showed that there was a good therapeutic function of Scutellariae Radix on pyretic pulmonary syndrome, which was elucidated on the metabolic aspects. There was also a correlationship between the mechanism of Scutellariae Radix curing pyretic pulmonary syndrome and the six specific biomarkers, according to “[Researches on pyretic pulmonary syndrome model interfered by Scutellariae Radix based on variation of biomarker].[Article in Chinese]” by Liu S, Liu C, Zu J, Li J, Wang N, Lu F.(2)
3. Protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion
In the investigation of the cardioprotective effects of the Sb extracts (3, 30 and 300 mg/kg) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injuried rats, showed that animals that had received five-day pretreatment of the Sb extract (30 mg/kg) had a significant reduction in myocardial infarct size and a marked increase in the activity of catalase in the liver. The Sb extract could additionally enhance acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation. It was proposed that the Sb extract exerted its cardioprotection by stimulating the catalase activity and improving vascular elasticity, according to “Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi root exerts protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats” by Chan E, Liu XX, Guo DJ, Kwan YW, Leung GP, Lee SM, Chan SW.(3)
4. Immunological responses
In the investigation of the effects of Scutellariae radix (SR) and Aloe vera gel (AV), alone or in combination, on levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory cytokines in spontaneous atopic dermatitis(AD)-like skin lesions, suggest that SR and AV modulate immunological responses in AD, mainly through influencing IL-5 or IL-10 levels, according to “Effects of Scutellariae radix and Aloe vera gel extracts on immunoglobulin E and cytokine levels in atopic dermatitis NC/Nga mice” by Kim J, Lee I, Park S, Choue R.(4)
5. Hepatitis B virus
In the evaluation of the active component, “Minister herb” Scutellariae radix (HD-1S), but not the “King herb” Bupleuri radix (HD-1B) in HD-7 of Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (HD-7) that suppresses HBV gene expression and virus production in human hepatoma cells, found that HD-1S selectively suppresses HBV core promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis has revealed that HD-1S treatment decreases the DNA-binding activity of nuclear extract of HepA2 cells to a specific cis-element of the HBV core promoter, which includes the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor binding site and HNF4. Furthermore, ectopic expression of PGC-1 abolished the suppression of HD-1S on HBV core promoter activity suggesting that HD-1S may act through modulating hepatic transcriptional machinery to suppress HBV viral gene expression and virus production, according to “Scutellariae radix suppresses hepatitis B virus production in human hepatoma cells” by Tseng YP, Wu YC, Leu YL, Yeh SF, Chou CK.(5)
6. Etc.
Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of spleen deficiency and poor digestion
2. Huang Qin may interact with blood thinning medicine
3. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without consulting first with the related field specialist
4. Etc.