In Vivo Hepatoprotective Effect of Baicalein, Baicalin and Wogonin from Scutellaria rivularis

The in vivo hepatoprotective effect of baicalein, baicalin and wogonin, three major components isolated from Scutellaria rivularis Benth. were investigated in three experimental models. Liver damage was induced by acetaminophen (APAP), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and β-D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats. Significant protective effects were seen by comparing the serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (sGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (sGPT) and histopathologic examination. All tested drugs, especially wogonin (5 mg/kg), markedly decreased the toxicity produced by D-GalN (p<0.01). Wogonin (5, 10 mg/kg) also decreased APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Baicalin (10 mg/kg) exhibited the best hepatoprotective effect on CCl4-induced liver injuries, but had no significant effect on APAP-induced intoxication. In histopathologic observation, hepatic lesions caused by three hepatotoxins were markedly improved in drug-treated groups, compared with glycyrrhizin (GLZ) as a standard reference medicine.