Encyclopedia of Vital Substances

The skullcaps ( Scutellaria ) are a genus of plants that include over 400 different species found worldwide. The best-known species, however, is the Baikal skullcap ( Scutellaria baicalensis ). This species is found in northern East Asia and thus grows in parts of Siberia, Mongolia, China, Korea and Japan. The herb has upright growing shoots that have rows of beautiful purple flowers, but the root is mainly used. What makes this subspecies so special is that it is the most collected medicinal plant for traditional Chinese medicine. Traditionally, it is used as a medicinal plant in many ways, for infectious diseases, rheumatism, arrhythmia, high blood pressure and pneumonia. Compared to other medicinal plants such as echinacea or ginseng, the Baikal skullcap is characterized by its strong antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.  

In one study, an ingredient in the plant showed an antispasmodic and calming effect, which led to improved sleep in the mice studied. But the herb does not only have an effect on the nervous system.  

The main feature of its medicinal use is its effect on the immune system. Baikal skullcap has anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Many studies also indicate that it has a wide range of antitumor effects. Promising observations have been made, particularly against colon, breast and cervical cancer. Colon and breast cancer are the two most common types of cancer that occur in women. Researchers are therefore particularly interested in studying skullcap.  

The most important ingredients of the plant are wogonin and baicalein, both of which are being studied in more detail in research as they offer potential for new drugs against autoimmune diseases or cancer, for example. Research has even shown that wogonin can trigger cell death in cancer cells, but leave healthy cells untouched.  

What is particularly interesting for women is that components of the plant are believed to help against pregnancy-related diseases such as gestational diabetes and could also be preventative against premature births and miscarriages.  

Possible side effects 

Skullcap roots are generally well tolerated, unless there are intolerances that can lead to stomach problems. In very rare cases and usually in combination with other herbs, liver damage has been observed due to skullcap.  

Literature:  

1. Zhao T, Tang H, Xie L, Zheng Y, Ma Z, Sun Q, Li X. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (Lamiaceae): a review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2019 Sep;71(9):1353-1369.  
2. Tuli HS, Bhushan S, Kumar A, Aggarwal P, Sak K, Ramniwas S, Vashishth K, Behl T, Rana R, Haque S, Prieto MA. Autophagy Induction by Scutellaria Flavones in Cancer: Recent Advances. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Feb 15;16(2):302.  
3. Kerjaschki, D., Bago-Horvath, Z., Rudas, M., Sexl, V., Schneckenleithner, C., Wolbank, S., Bartel, G., Krieger, S., Kalt, R., Hantusch, B., Keller, T., Nagy-Bojarszky, K., Huttary, N., Raab, I., Lackner, K., Krautgasser, K., Schachner, H., Kaserer, K., Rezar, S., Madlener, S., … Krupitza, G. (2011). Lipoxygenase mediates invasion of intrametastatic lymphatic vessels and propagates lymph node metastasis of human mammary carcinoma xenografts in mouse. The Journal of clinical investigation, 121(5), 2000-2012.  
4. Baumann, S., Fas, S., Giaisi, M., Müller, W., Merling, A., Gülow, K., Edler, L., Krammer, P., & Li‐Weber, M. (2008). Wogonin preferentially kills malignant lymphocytes and suppresses T-cell tumor growth by inducing PLCgamma1- and Ca2+-dependent apoptosis.. Blood, 111 4, 2354-63 .  
5. Yang X, Zheng S, Wang X, Wang J, Ali Shah SB, Wang Y, Gao R, Xu Z. Advances in pharmacology, biosynthesis, and metabolic engineering of Scutellaria-specialized metabolites. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2022 Dec 29:1-17.  
6. Wang ZL, Wang S, Kuang Y, Hu ZM, Qiao X, Ye M. A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and flavonoid biosynthesis of Scutellaria baicalensis. Pharm Biol. 2018 Dec;56(1):465-484.  
7. Wang J, Chen S, Zhang J, Wu J. Scutellaria baicalensis georgi is a promising candidate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 16;13:946030.  
8. Yu P, Li J, Luo Y, Sun J, Hu Y, Lin B, Meng X, Xiang L. Mechanistic Role of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in Breast Cancer Therapy. Am J Chin Med 2023;51(2):279-308.  
9. Cai J, Hu Q, He Z, Chen X, Wang J, Yin X, Ma X, Zeng J. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Their Natural Flavonoid Compounds in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: A Review. Molecules. 2023 Jun 29;28(13):5082.  
10. Jang JY, Im E, Kim ND. Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Components from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer: A Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jan 19;24(3):1954. doi: 10.3390/ijms24031954.  
11. "LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury". United States National Library of Medicine. 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548757/ (Accessed on January 23, 2024)  
12. Fang DN, Zheng CW, Ma YL. Effectiveness of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi root in pregnancy-related diseases: A review. J Integr Med. 2023 Jan;21(1):17-25. doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2022.09.005. Epub 2022 Sep 28.