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Title: In vitro Anti-Tumor Mechanisms of Various Scutellaria Extracts and Constituent Flavonoids

Author
item PARAJULI, PRAHLAD - WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
item JOSHEE, NIRMAL - FORT VALLEY STATE UNIV.
item Rimando, Agnes
item MITTAL, SANDEEP - WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
item YADAV, ANAND - FORT VALLEY STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Planta Medica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/2008
Publication Date: 1/15/2009
Citation: Parajuli, P., Joshee, N., Rimando, A.M., Mittal, S., Yadav, A. 2009. In vitro Anti-Tumor Mechanisms of Various Scutellaria Extracts and Constituent Flavonoids. Planta Medica. 75:41-48.

Interpretive Summary: Scutellaria plants are used in traditional medicine, and have potential anti-cancer activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-cancer mechanisms of thirteen Scutellaria species and analyze their leaf, stem and root extracts for levels of biologically active flavonoids commonly found in Scutellaria species. The extracts and individual flavonoids inhibited proliferation of two types of cancer cells, i.e., brain and breast cancer cells, without affecting normal cells. The flavonoids exhibited different mechanisms of anti-tumor activity as well as synergistic interactions. The anti-tumor mechanisms involved induction of cell death and cell cycle arrest. Of the extracts tested, leaf extracts S. angulosa, S. integrifolia, S. ocmulgee, and S. scandens were found to have strong anti-cancer activity. This study provides a basis for further studies into adjuvant therapy of malignant tumors using Scutellaria leaf tissues.

Technical Abstract: Scutellaria is a traditional herbal remedy with potential anti-cancer activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-cancer mechanisms of thirteen Scutellaria species and analyze their leaf, stem and root extracts for levels of biologically active flavonoids commonly found in Scutellaria species: apigenin, baicalein, baicalin, chrysin, scutellarein, and wogonin. The extracts and individual flavonoids inhibited proliferation of malignant glioma and breast carcinoma cells without affecting primary or non-malignant cells. The flavonoids exhibited different mechanisms of anti-tumor activity as well as synergistic interactions. The anti-tumor mechanisms involved induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1/G2. Of the extracts tested, leaf extracts S. angulosa, S. integrifolia, S. ocmulgee, and S. scandens were found to have strong anti-cancer activity. This study provides a basis for further mechanistic and translational studies into adjuvant therapy of malignant tumors using Scutellaria leaf tissues.