Multiple Therapeutic Effects of Adjunctive Baicalin Therapy in Experimental Bacterial Meningitis

Abstract

This study aimed to examine effects of adjunctive baicalin therapy to ampicillin for experimental bacterial meningitis in rabbits. After Escherichia Coli inoculation, mean leukocyte counts, concentrations of protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and lactate in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain water content and mean arterial and intracranial pressures substantially increased in the meningitis group. Ampicillin alone for 5 h markedly exacerbated the enhanced leukocyte counts and protein concentration, and showed no significant effect on the elevated CSF TNF-alpha, IL-1 and lactate concentration, mean arterial and intracranial pressures, and brain water content. Baicalin (7-D-glucuronic acid-5,6-dihydroxyflavone, C(21)H(18)O(11)) completely counteracted ampicillin-induced exacerbation, and further alleviated the enhanced mean leukocyte counts and protein concentration when combined with ampicillin. Adjunctive baicalin also significantly ameliorated the elevated CSF TNF-alpha, IL-1 and lactate concentration, mean arterial and intracranial pressures, and brain water content. Baicillin, as an adjunctive treatment exerted multiple therapeutic effects in experimental bacterial meningitis.

Superior effect of hypertonic saline over mannitol to attenuate cerebral edema in a rabbit bacterial meningitis model*

“…Animal brains were removed and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde overnight and embedded in paraffin the next day. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for aquaporin 4 (AQP4) were performed as described previously (16,17). Images were visualized and captured under a BX51 microscope (Olympus, Center Valley, PA).…”

The Protective Effect of Baicalin Against Lead-Induced Renal Oxidative Damage in Mice

“…Current chelating agents have limited value in treatment of Pb poisoning, and the search for effective medicine and chemical reagents to decline Pb nephropathy is very necessary. Baicalin, a flavonoid glycoside isolated from S. baicalensis, has protective effects on many organs [25][26][27]. As Pb dose dependently accumulated in the mice, mostly in the kidney, the excessive Pb could decrease body growth and increase the kidney weight.…”

The protective effect of baicalin against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury through inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis

“…This root, which has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is a traditional Chinese herb widely used in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Baicalin has been shown to possess these protective properties as well, including against various inflammatory diseases [3-5]. Baicalin has also been shown to protect against IRI in various organs, including the heart [6], liver [7], and brain [8], because of its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.…”