Polymeric mixed micelles as nanomedicines: Achievements and perspectives

Gut microbiota, a new frontier to understand traditional Chinese medicines.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a major global health problem. In recent decades, the rates of both mortality and morbidity of cancer have rapidly increased for a variety of reasons. Despite treatment options, there are serious side effects associated with chemotherapy drugs and multiple forms of drug resistance that significantly reduce their effects. There is an accumulating amount of evidence on the pharmacological activities of baicalein (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antitumor effects). Furthermore, there has been great progress in elucidating the target mechanisms and signaling pathways of baicalein's anti-cancer potential. The anti-tumor functions of baicalein are mainly due to its capacities to inhibit complexes of cyclins to regulate the cell cycle, to scavenge oxidative radicals, to attenuate mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase B (Akt) or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activities, to induce apoptosis by activating caspase-9/-3 and to inhibit tumorinvasion and metastasis by reducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2/-9 (MMP-2/-9). In this review, we focused on the relevant biological mechanisms of baicalein involved in inhibiting various cancers, such as bladder cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Moreover, we also summarized the specific mechanisms by which baicalein inhibited the growth of various tumors in vivo. Taken together, baicalein may be developed as a potential, novel anticancer drug to treat tumors.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/10/1681/pdf

The Fascinating Effects of Baicalein on Cancer: A Review

The constituents of many traditional Chinese herbal remedies are currently at the forefront of modern cancer research. Baicalein, a bioactive flavone widely used in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, has shown great potential in the treatment and prevention of cancer without causing severe side effects. Baicalein induces cancer cell apoptosis and cause cell cycle arrest. It shows inhibitory effects on angiogenesis, metastasis and inflammation, all of which are necessary for the promotion and progression of cancer. This review presents an overview of the anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of baicalein. In addition, the bioavailability of baicalein and approaches to improve it are summarized. Treatments of baicalein in combination with other anti-cancer agents are also mentioned.

/pdf/anticancer-properties-of-baicalein-a-review-2g43p6xqtw.pdf

Anticancer properties of baicalein: a review.

Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin in Chinese) is a major traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb, which has a long history of use in the treatment of a variety of symptoms correlated with cancer. In the past decade, the potential of S. baicalensis and single compounds derived from it as anticancer agents targeting various pathways has received extensive research attention. Specifically, the proliferation and metastases inhibiting properties of the single compounds in cancer have been studied; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review summarizes the various mechanisms, pathways and molecular targets involved in the anticancer activity of S. baicalensis and its single compounds. However, the aim of this review is to provide a more thorough view of the last 10 years to link traditional use with modern research and to highlight recently discovered molecular mechanisms. Extracts and major flavonoids derived from S. baicalensis have been found to possess anticancer effects in multiple cance...

Scutellaria baicalensis and Cancer Treatment: Recent Progress and Perspectives in Biomedical and Clinical Studies.

Ovarian cancer is one of the primary causes of death for women all through the Western world. Baicalin and baicalein are naturally occurring flavonoids that are found in the roots and leaves of some Chinese medicinal plants and are thought to have antioxidant activity and possible anti-angiogenic, anti-cancer, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. Two kinds of ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3 and CP-70) cell lines and a normal ovarian cell line (IOSE-364) were selected to be investigated in the inhibitory effect of baicalin and baicalein on cancer cells. Largely, baicalin and baicalein inhibited ovarian cancer cell viability in both ovarian cancer cell lines with LD50 values in the range of 45-55 µM for baicalin and 25-40 µM for baicalein. On the other hand, both compounds had fewer inhibitory effects on normal ovarian cells viability with LD50 values of 177 µM for baicalin and 68 µM for baicalein. Baicalin decreased expression of VEGF (20 µM), cMyc (80 µM), and NFkB (20 µM); baicalein decreased expression of VEGF (10 µM), HIF-1α (20 µM), cMyc (20 µM), and NFkB (40 µM). Therefore baicalein is more effective in inhibiting cancer cell viability and expression of VEGF, HIF-1α, cMyc, and NFκB in both ovarian cancer cell lines. It seems that baicalein inhibited cancer cell viability through the inhibition of cancer promoting genes expression including VEGF, HIF-1α, cMyc, and NFκB. Overall, this study showed that baicalein and baicalin significantly inhibited the viability of ovarian cancer cells, while generally exerting less of an effect on normal cells. They have potential for chemoprevention and treatment of ovarian cancers.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/14/3/6012/pdf

Inhibitory effect of baicalin and baicalein on ovarian cancer cells.

The dried root of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) has been historically and widely used in traditional Eastern medicine. Modern science proved that baicalin is the major bioactive responsible for the physiological activity of Baikal skullcap. Baicalin, a flavonoid found in several species in the genus Scutellaria, has been regarded as a potent anticancer agent. In this review, we present the main extraction methods, anticancer activity and bioavailability of baicalin. Besides, the utilization of nanotechnology to improve the bioavailability of baicalin is also mentioned.

Allen Y. Chen

Papers

Inhibitory effect of baicalin and baicalein on ovarian cancer cells.

The Extraction, Anticancer Effect, Bioavailability, and Nanotechnology of Baicalin