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Baicalin inhibits free radicals processes caused by chromium and cisplatin.

Ewa Sawicka ,  Anna Długosz ,  Dorota Średnicka 

Wroclaw Medical University, Department of Toxicology, ul. Traugutta 57/59, Wrocław 50-417, Poland

Abstract

In the presented study the antioxidant activity of flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis – baicalin on lipid peroxidation (TBARS) caused by ions of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was evaluated. Also the scavenging ability of baicalin towards hydroxyl radical (OH) generated by chromium ions was  investigated. Moreover the potential activity of baicalin in lowering the enhancement free radicals processes caused by cytotoxic drug -cisplatin was evaluated.

The chromium is essential in the organism e.g. for the correct metabolism of the glucose (an ingredient of the glucose tolerance factor -GTF), but it is also a toxic metal. The toxicity of the chromium depends closely on its valence and it is connected substantially with oxidative properties. Cr(VI) is classified by IARC to carcinogens for people. The mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis is not well understood, although recent study suggest the involvement of Cr(VI) in free radical formation. Similarly toxic effects of cisplatin, mainly ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity or the hepatotoxicity could be connected with ROS (reactive oxygen species)  generation.

Scutellaria baicalensis is the Chinese plant rich in flavonoids, especially baicalin, baicalein and wogonosid . The extract received from this plant (Antoxid) showed to be active radicals scavenger, also inhibiting the lipid peroxidation caused by the chromium compounds. It was interesting to know whether baicalin abundantly present in Antoxid can be responsible for this antioxidative effect.

The research was performed on in vitro mitochondrial model from human placenta and erythrocytes from fresh blood. Baicalin at the concentrations from 10 µmol to 200  µmol showed the antioxidative effect by the decrease TBARS level in the erythrocytes (p<0,05). At concentrations from 20  µmol to 200  µmol decreased the content of hydroxyl radicals in the mitochondrial suspension (p<0,05). Moreover the experiment demonstrated the baicalin effectiveness in the inhibiting lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation enhanced with Cr (III) and Cr (VI) ions and cisplatin. It seems probable that Antoxid beneficial effect shown earlier is a consequence of the high content of baicalin.

 

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Submitted: 2010-03-16 10:04
Revised:   2010-03-17 09:57