Scutellaria Root extract-induced hepatocytotoxicity can be controlled by regulating its baicalin content

Scuellaria Root (SR, root of Scutellaria baicalensis), which has potent anti-inflammatory effects, is a component of useful Kampo formulae. Albeit a low frequency, SR induces serious interstitial pneumonia and liver dysfunction. In this study, to control the adverse effects of SR, we investigated the causal constituent responsible for its hepatocytotoxicity and aimed to develop a method to control it. As a result, we revealed that the hepatocytotoxicity of SR was correlated with its baicalin content, a major constituent in SR. It was confirmed by preparing a baicalin-free SR extract, which exhibited reduced hepatocytotoxicity. The addition of baicalin to the baicalin-free SR extract restored the hepatocytotoxicity, indicating that the hepatocytotoxicity of SR is dependent on its baicalin content. Thus, SR extract-induced hepatocytotoxicity can be controlled by regulating its baicalin content.