Skullcap 98% baicalein extract - chinese skullcap

Botanical name: Scutellaria baicalensis

Other names: Baikal skullcap, huang-qin

Family: Lamiaceae

Distribution: Worldwide

Origin : East Asia

Chinese skullcap is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. It is indigenous to several East Asian countries and the Russian Federation and has been cultivated in many European countries. Chinese people have used the dried root of this medicinal plant for more than 2000 years. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional chinese medicine and is known as Huang-Qin. It is now listed officially in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

It is traditionally used as a treatment of bitter, cold, lung and liver problems. It had been used in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, hemorrhaging, insomnia, inflammation, respiratory infections and to treat severe lung infections.

Baicalein is a natural flavone (a type of flavonoid) mainly found in the roots of the Scutellaria baicalensis. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and in Japanese kampo. It has shown interesting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and  anti-viral properties. Baicalein improves the symptoms of food allergies by reducing the Ig E and the effector T-cells and improving the function of the intestinal barrier which is very important to maintain homeostasis.

The beneficial results in asthma and atopic dermatitis are very promising and pave the way for new strategies in the approach and treatment of immune diseases, making it a potential alternative to antihistamines treatment.

It is thought that baicalein, along with other flavonoids, may underlie the anxiolytic effects of S. baicalensis and S. lateriflora.

Baicalein is also an antagonist of the estrogen receptor, or an antiestrogen.

Antitumor effects

Many studies have shown that S. baicalensis extract is cytotoxic to a broad range of cancer cells from humans, including brain tumor cells, prostate cancer cells and HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) cell lines.

The aglycone (flavone) baicalein is the major bioactive in Scutellaria roots and the major bioactive constituent responsible for its anti-cancer effects. Baicalein is effective against lung cancer cells. Baicalein and related flavones are strong candidates for improved chemotherapeutic agents.

Other significant effects: hepatoprotection, antibacterial and antiviral activities, antioxidants, ROS scavengers, anticonvulsants, neuroprotective.

Source: Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants

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 Our products are of the highest quality but they have not been certified by the FDA neither Health Canada for human consumption. Therefore, we have to specify that they cannot be sold for human consumption. They are sold for incense and soap making purposes, decorative purposes and/or legitimate ethnobotanical research. The information given about the plants is for academic purposes only and not intended to be used medically. TrancePlants, its suppliers, agents, employees and distributors cannot be held accountable for any misuse of the products offered.