Effect of baicalin on oxygen–glucose deprivation-induced endothelial cell damage

Baicalin, a plant-derived flavonoid, has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects on ischemia-like or excitotoxic injury. To confirm this function and explore the possible mechanism, we investigated the protective effect of baicalin on an in-vitro model of ischemia (oxygen-glucose deprivation-treated endothelial cell). In the present study, we found that baicalin (100 μM) inhibited cell death, reduced cell membrane damage, and maintained the integrity of the nucleus. Flow cytometric analysis and Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide double staining results showed that the necroptosis ratio decreased with baicalin treatment. Western blot analysis showed that baicalin regulated the expression of RIP-1 and RIP-3 in bEnd.3 cells and the use of detection kits showed that baicalin inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in oxygen-glucose deprivation-treated bEnd.3 cells. These results indicated that baicalin effectively alleviated the oxidative stress, decreased the proportion of cells undergoing necrosis, and reduced cell damage.