Baikal skullcap
StarScutellaria baicalensis
Synonyms: Scutellaria macrantha, Scutellaria baicalensis f. albiflora, Scutellaria lanceolaria, Scutellaria speciosa, Scutellaria davurica
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Scutellaria baicalensis, the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap, is a perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to northeastern China, Mongolia, Korea, eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, where it grows on sunny, dry, grassy and stony slopes. It develops a stout, fleshy taproot that is yellow within and is the part used medicinally. The square stems are erect to spreading, 20 to 60 cm tall, bearing opposite, lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, nearly stalkless leaves. The two-lipped, tubular flowers are violet-blue to purple and are borne in one-sided, leafy-bracted terminal racemes, each calyx bearing the small scale-like protuberance that gives skullcaps their name. Flowering occurs in summer. The fruit comprises four small nutlets enclosed in the persistent calyx.
Active Constituents
Baicalin
Flavone glucuronide (baicalein 7-O-glucuronide)Concentration: Dominant flavonoid of the root, often 10% or more of dried root
The principal marker compound of Huang Qin. Baicalin has documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective activity, largely mediated by inhibition of NF-kB signalling and modulation of cytokine release.
Baicalein
Flavone (aglycone of baicalin)Concentration: Major root flavone
Aglycone with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and 12/15-lipoxygenase-inhibiting activity; studied for anticancer, antiviral and neuroprotective effects.
Wogonin
FlavoneConcentration: Major root flavone
Anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic flavone with reported anticancer activity; acts partly at GABA-A receptors and modulates inflammatory signalling.
Wogonoside
Flavone glucuronide (7-O-glucuronide of wogonin)Concentration: Abundant glycoside of the root
Glycosidic form of wogonin with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects; hydrolysed to wogonin by gut microflora.
Oroxylin A
FlavoneConcentration: Minor root flavone
Neuroactive flavone studied for anti-inflammatory, cognition-enhancing and anticancer effects, in part via GABA-A modulation and NF-kB inhibition.
Scutellarein / scutellarin
Flavone / flavone glucuronideConcentration: Minor constituents
Antioxidant flavones; scutellarin is studied for cerebrovascular and cardioprotective effects and is a substrate/inhibitor of hepatic OATP uptake transporters.
Skullcapflavone II
Methoxylated flavoneConcentration: Minor root flavone
Lipophilic flavone investigated for anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and antitumour activity in preclinical studies.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Rosuvastatin
In a human pharmacokinetic study, baicalin lowered rosuvastatin plasma exposure in an OATP1B1 haplotype-dependent manner by modulating hepatic OATP1B1-mediated uptake of the statin.
Clinical note: Separating administration or monitoring lipid response is prudent when Scutellaria/baicalin products are combined with OATP1B1-substrate statins.
Cyclosporine (ciclosporin)
In animal studies repeated baicalin dosing decreased ciclosporin oral bioavailability, attributed to induction of intestinal P-glycoprotein; clinical relevance in humans is not established.
Clinical note: Given the narrow therapeutic index of ciclosporin, avoid concomitant high-dose baicalin or monitor drug levels.
Antidiabetic drugs
Scutellaria flavonoids show hypoglycaemic activity in preclinical models, so additive effects with antidiabetic agents are theoretically possible.
Clinical note: Monitor blood glucose if used with antidiabetic therapy.
Preparation Methods
Decoction
Parts: root
Dried root sliced and simmered in water (a typical traditional dose is around 3-10 g of root per day), taken as a bitter, cold-clearing decoction, often in formula with other herbs.
Powdered root / granule extract
Parts: root
Standardized dried-extract granules or powder providing defined baicalin content, reconstituted in hot water.
Tincture / standardized extract
Parts: root
Hydroalcoholic or dry extracts standardized to baicalin used in Western herbal and supplement practice. Rare reports link some skullcap-containing products to hepatotoxicity (often from adulteration with Teucrium), so use identity-verified material and monitor in those with liver disease.
Clinical Studies
The Effect of Herbal Medicine Baicalin on Pharmacokinetics of Rosuvastatin, Substrate of Organic Anion-transporting Polypeptide 1B1
In healthy volunteers, baicalin significantly reduced rosuvastatin plasma exposure, with the effect depending on OATP1B1 genotype, demonstrating a clinically relevant transporter-mediated herb-drug interaction.
The effect of Scutellaria baicalensis and its active ingredients on major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature in pre-clinical research
Meta-analysis of animal studies found Scutellaria baicalensis and its flavonoids produced significant antidepressant-like effects, with mechanisms including modulation of monoamines, HPA-axis and neuroinflammation.
Historical Texts
Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)
Han dynasty (c. 200 CE compilation)Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) by Zhang Zhongjing
c. 200-220 CEReferences
- Zhao T, Tang H, Xie L, Zheng Y, Ma Z, Sun Q, Li X. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (Lamiaceae): a review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology . Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (2019) [DOI]
- Wang ZL, Wang S, Kuang Y, Hu ZM, Qiao X, Ye M. A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and flavonoid biosynthesis of Scutellaria baicalensis . Pharmaceutical Biology (2018) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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