Ho-Young Kwak

Anti-pruritic effect of baicalin and its metabolites, baicalein and oroxylin A, in mice

AbstractAim:To explore whether intestinal microflora plays a role in anti-pruritic activity of baicalin, a main constituent of the rhizome of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB).Methods:Baicalin was anaerobically incubated with human fecal microflora, and its metabolites, baicalein and oroxylin A, were isolated. The inhibitory effect of baicalin and its metabolites was accessed in histamine- or compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice.Results:Baicalin was metabolized to baicalein and oroxylin A, with metabolic activities of 40.2±26.2 and 1.2±1.1 nmol·h−1·mg−1 wet weight of human fecal microflora, respectively. Baicalin (20, 50 mg/kg) showed more potent inhibitory effect on histamine-induced scratching behavior when orally administered than intraperitoneally. In contrast, baicalein and oroxylin A had more potent inhibitory effect when the intraperitoneally administered. The anti-scratching behavior activity of oral baicalin and its metabolites was in proportion to their inhibition on histamine-induced increase of vascular permeability with oroxylin A more potent than baicalein and baicalin. In Magnus test using guinea pig ileum, oroxylin A is more potent than baicalein and baicalin in inhibition of histamine-induced contraction. The anti-scratching behavioral effect of oral baicalin was significantly reduced when oral antibiotics were simultaneously administered, whereas the effect of baicalein and oroxylin A were not affected.Conclusion:Oral baicalin may be metabolized by intestinal microflora into baicalein and oroxylin A, which ameliorate pruritic reactions through anti-histamine action.