Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2026

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
Published on: May 14, 2016
Baicalein induces a dual growth arrest by modulating multiple cell cycle regulatory molecules
S L Hsu1, Y C Hsieh, W C Hsieh
1Department of Education and Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, No. 160, Section 3, Chung-Gang Road, 407, Taichung, Taiwan. h2326@vghtc.gov.tw
Abstract:
Baicalein, a flavonoid present in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to inhibit cell proliferation in several types of cells. In this study, the effect of baicalein on cell growth and the mechanism of growth modulation were examined in primary cultured rat heart endothelial cells. Here, we report that treatment with 100-microM baicalein caused an almost complete inhibition of cell proliferation after 5 days of incubation. Baicalein mediated G1 and G2 growth arrest accompanied by the down-regulation of cyclin D2, cyclin A, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2), and up-regulation of p15(Ink4B), p21(CIP1/Waf1), p53 and cyclin E. Evaluation of the kinase activity of cyclin-Cdk complexes showed that baicalein decreased Cdk1, Cdk2, cyclin D2 and cyclin A expression in endothelial cells, leading to markedly reduced Cdk/cyclin-associated kinase activities. These results suggest that baicalein inhibits the proliferation of rat heart endothelial cells via G1 and G2 arrest in association with the down-regulation of the expression and function of Cdk1, Cdk2, cyclin D2 and cyclin A proteins, and up-regulation of cyclin E, p15(Ink4B), p53 and p21(CIP1/Waf1).
Related Concept Videos
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Inhibition of CDK Activity
Negative Regulator Molecules
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
The Cell Cycle Control System
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
