A study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine assessed the protective effects of baicalin, a major flavonoid of Scutellariae radix, on liver injury in a mouse model. The study was carried out by researchers at Chang Gung University in Taiwan.
- Acetaminophen causes acute liver failure, and baicalin has been reported to have liver-protective properties in traditional medicine.
- For the study, the researchers induced liver injury in mice by administering 300 milligrams per kilogram body weight (mg/kg) of acetaminophen.
- Thirty minutes after acetaminophen administration, they treated the mice with baicalin at concentrations of 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg.
- Acetaminophen administration resulted in significant increases in alanine transferase (ALT) enzyme levels and hepatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.
- However, these increases were significantly reduced after baicalin treatment in a dose-dependent manner.
- Baicalin at a dose of 30 mg/kg exhibited the strongest beneficial effects.
- Baicalin treatment at 30 mg/kg reduced elevated hepatic cytokine levels and macrophage recruitment around the area of hepatotoxicity in immunohistochemical staining.
- In addition, it decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression.
- These results suggested that treatment with baicalin can effectively reduce liver injury by down-regulating the ERK signaling pathway and inflammation.
In conclusion, baicalin can be used as a liver-protective agent.
For more studies on natural treatments for liver injury, go to LiverDamage.news.
Journal Reference:
Liao CC, Day YJ, Lee HC, Liou JT, Chou AH, Liu FC. ERK SIGNALING PATHWAY PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN BAICALIN PROTECTION AGAINST ACETAMINOPHEN-INDUCED LIVER INJURY. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 13 January 2017; 45(1): 105-121. DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X17500082