Neuronal differentiation of human iPS cells induced by baicalin via regulation of bHLH gene expression

Efficient differentiation is important for regenerative medicine based on pluripotent stem cells, including treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and trauma. Baicalin promotes neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells of rats and mice. To evaluate the suitability of baicalin for neuronal differentiation of human iPS cells, we investigated whether it promotes neuronal differentiation in human iPS cells and monitored basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene expression during neuronal differentiation. Baicalin promoted neuronal differentiation and inhibited glial differentiation, suggesting that baicalin can influence the neuronal fate decision in human iPS cells. Notch signaling, which is upstream of bHLH proteins, was not involved in baicalin-induced neuronal differentiation. Baicalin treatment did not down-regulate Hes1 gene expression, but it reduced Hes1 protein levels and up-regulated Ascl1 gene expression. Thus, baicalin promoted neuronal differentiation via modulation of bHLH transcriptional factors. Therefore, baicalin has potential to be used as a small-molecule drug for regenerative treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.