Baicalin: A comprehensive review of its molecular mechanisms and pharmacological activities

Baicalin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, is the main bioactive flavone extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis. It has received increasing interest due to its broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and therapeutic benefits demonstrated in preclinical research. However, its molecular mechanisms and translational potential remain underdefined. This review systematically evaluates current evidence on baicalin, including its natural sources, chemical structure, biosynthesis, extraction techniques, pharmacokinetic features, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic applications, as well as developments in drug delivery platforms designed to overcome its biopharmaceutical limitations. This structured literature review was conducted using data extracted from various databases, including the Egyptian Knowledge Bank, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Elsevier. All possible keywords relevant to baicalin were utilized. Recent original articles, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, clinical studies, and high-quality reviews were prioritized. Baicalin exerts its therapeutic effects through modulation of various signaling pathways, primarily involving oxidative stress and inflammation. It exhibits anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, metabolic, and dermatological effects and alleviates various system disorders and drug-induced toxicity. Despite promising preclinical data, clinical translation is hindered by its poor solubility, limited bioavailability, and insufficient clinical validation. Emerging nano-delivery systems, such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and surface-modified nanoplatforms, have greatly improved the pharmacokinetic performance of baicalin. Nevertheless, the clinical translation of these approaches remains limited. While baicalin represents a promising multi-target therapeutic option, substantial research gaps remain. Future research should give priority to deeper mechanistic investigations, standardized formulation approaches, and well-designed clinical trials to bridge the gap between preclinical efficacy and clinical application, and to establish its optimal dosing, safety profile, and long-term efficacy.