Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract (SBGE) is used in traditional herbal medicine and has also been used clinically to ameliorate the symptoms of various inflammatory diseases and cancer. In women, breast cancer is one of the most common diseases and numerous women succumb to it. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism responsible for the SBGE‑induced apoptosis of MCF‑7 human breast cancer cells. SBGE was administered to cells at concentrations between 100 and 500 mg/ml, and cell viabilities were identified using an MTT assay. B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 X‑associated protein (Bax) family members were identified by western blotting, and the mRNA expression levels of the pro‑apoptosis genes Fas, Fas ligand (FasL) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α were assessed by reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction. It was identified that SBGE treatment for 24 h inhibited MCF‑7 proliferation and increased the sub‑G1 phase ratio. SBGE suppressed mitochondrial membrane potentials and SBGE‑induced apoptotic cell death was identified to be associated with downregulation of Bcl‑2, but upregulation of Bax. SBGE‑activated caspases 3 and 9, and increased reactive oxygen species generation. However, SBGE had no effect on the expression levels of Fas, FasL or TNF‑α. Furthermore, mitogen‑activated protein kinase and C‑Jun N‑terminal kinase inhibitors inhibited SBGE‑induced cell death. These results suggested that SBGE be considered as an agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san, a herbal product used in traditional Chinese medicine, on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in mice. Methods: The in vivo effects of Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san on GI motility were investigated by measuring the intestinal transit rates (ITRs) using Evans blue in normal mice and in mice with experimentally induced GI motility dysfunction (GMD). GMD was induced by injecting acetic acid or streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Results: In normal Institute of Cancer Research mice, ITRs were significantly and dosedependently increased by Shengmaisan (0.01∼1 g/kg) and Pyungwi-san (0.01∼1 g/kg). The ITRs of acetic acid induced peritoneal irritation model and streptozotocin-induced diabetic model mice were significantly reduced compared to normal mice, and these reductions were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by Shengmai-san (0.01∼1 g/kg) and Pyungwi-san (0.01∼1 g/kg). Conclusions: These results suggest that both Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san are a good candidate for the development of a prokinetic agent that may prevent or alleviate GMD.