Cytoprotection of Baicalein Against Oxidative Stress-induced Cardiomyocytes Injury Through the Nrf2/Keap1 Pathway

Abstract

Baicalein is one of the major flavonoids found in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Previous studies suggest that baicalein displays protective effect on experimental cardiac models in vitro and in vivo. However, the mode of action remains unclear. Here, we showed that baicalein conferred cardioprotective effect against oxidative stress-induced cell injury in H9c2 cells and human embryonic stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation with anti-NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antibody in baicalein-treated cells demonstrated that baicalein effectively disrupted the association between Nrf2 and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 (Keap1). In addition, the unbounded Nrf2 translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus and increased Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) content in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, antioxidant response element transcriptional activity was enhanced by baicalein treatment, and the Nrf2 siRNA transfection could block the cytoprotective effect of baicalein. Taken together, these results demonstrate that baicalein protected cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress-induced cell injury through the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.

Protective effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi against hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in HaCaT human skin keratinocytes

“…We have recently demonstrated that the protective effects of baicalein, an active component of S. baicalensis , against oxidative stress-induced damage through activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway (Choi et al, 2016[10]). Other researchers have obtained similar results (Zhang et al, 2012[46]; Cui et al, 2015[14]). However, the protective effects and molecular mechanisms involved in oxidative stress-induced skin damages are still unclear.…”

Effects of Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress-Mediated Injury in Cardiomyocytes

“…Recently, it has been proven that baicalein protected H9c2 cardiomyocytes and also human embryonic stem cells-derived cardiomyocites (hESC-CMs) against oxidative stress-induced cell injury. Baicalein (10, 30 µM) decreased ROS generation and the number of death cells and activated Nrf2 pathway [62]. …”

Baicalein modulates stress-resistance and life span in C. elegans via SKN-1 but not DAF-16

“…In addition to these traditional dosage forms, there are also dietary supplements available containing either extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis or baicalein as pure compound. Due to extraordinatel structural element of three proximate hydroxygroups in ring A, baicalein has potent radicalscavenging effects 2 and has previously been shown to mediate antioxidative effects in mammalian cells by activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway [3][4][5][6][7][8] . Using Caenorhabditis elegans it has been shown that baicalein reduces ROS accumulation and prolongs the life span of this model organism: baicalein extends the mean, median and maximum lifespans by 45, 57 and 24%, respectively 3 .…”