Role of baicalein compounds as antioxidant in the traditional herbal medicine

摘要

Antioxidant activity of some flavonoids in a traditional Sine-Japanese herbal medicine and its active ingredients was analyzed. Sho-saiko-to the crude drug used against hepatitis protected rat Liver microsomes from iron-mediated lipid peroxidation. Among the components of Sho-saiko-to, wogon the extract of Scutellaria root showed an inhibitory effect on the lipid peroxidation of microsomes. Baicalein and baicalein glycoside the principal flavonoids in the Scutellaria root extract also inhibited microsomal lipid peroxidation potently. Antioxidant action of baicalein compounds in the Scutellaria root extract can explain the protective effect of Sho-saiko-to on liver function.