Extract from Scutellaria baicalensis  (ESB) is a major flavonoid constituent found in the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Baikal skull cap. It has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and hepatitis. Recently studies have demonstrated that ESB possesses a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor properties. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory activity has been estimated in various animal models of acute and chronic inflammation. However, the effects of ESB on the maturation and immuno-stimulatory activities exhibited by dendritic cells (DCs) remain, for the most part, unknown. In this study, we have attempted to determine whether ESB can influence surface molecule expression, antigen uptake capacity, cytokine production, and capacity to induce T-cell differentiation underlying these phenomena in BM-DCs. ESB was shown to significantly suppress the expression of surface molecules such as CD80, CD86, MHC class I, and MHC class II in the dendritic cells. ESB was also demonstrated to inhibited LPS-induced MAPK activation in DCs. Moreover, ESB-treated DCs evidenced an impaired induction of Th1 immune response, and a normal cell-mediated immune response. These findings also broaden current perspectives concerning our understanding of the immunopharmacological functions of ESB, and have ramifications for the development of therapeutic adjuvants for the treatment of DCs-related acute and chronic diseases.

Extract from Scutellaria baicalensis inhibits dendrite cells maturation and T cells activation through the regulation of MAPK activation

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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