Scutellaria Lateriflora

Scutellaria Lateriflora

In Chinese herbal medicine, Scutellaria lateriflora grows in the hillsides and cliffs of southern China, west of the Yangtze River. In the central interior of China it usually occurs in association with several other species of plants with similar medicinal actions.The here presented study shows that the American skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora, a traditional medical herb in North America, exhibits strong anti-prion activity. Extracts of this plant have been traditionally used as sedative and for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, or neuralgia (Foster, 1996). Moreover, we can show here that the crude aqueous extract inhibits prion propagation and dissolves prion aggregates in vitro. Continuous oral administration of S. lateriflora tea (water extract) significantly prolonged incubation times in scrapie-infected mice. Notably, the natural constituents, the flavonoids baicalein and baicalin-hydrate, exhibit the same inhibitory effects on prion propagation and dissolve existing fibrils.

Scutellaria

) which leads to the accumulation of β-sheet-rich fibrils and subsequent loss of neurons and synaptic functions. Although many compounds have been identified which inhibit accumulation or dissolve fibrils and aggregates in vitro there is no therapeutic treatment to stop these progressive neurodegenerative diseases. Here we describe the effects of the traditional medicinal herb Scutellaria lateriflora (S. lateriflora) and its natural compounds, the flavonoids baicalein and baicalin, on the development of prion disease using in vitro and in vivo models.The here presented study shows that the American skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora, a traditional medical herb in North America, exhibits strong anti-prion activity. Extracts of this plant have been traditionally used as sedative and for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, or neuralgia (Foster, 1996).

Moreover, we can show here that the crude aqueous extract inhibits prion propagation and dissolves prion aggregates in vitro. Continuous oral administration of S. lateriflora tea (water extract) significantly prolonged incubation times in scrapie-infected mice. Notably, the natural constituents, the flavonoids baicalein and baicalin-hydrate, exhibit the same inhibitory effects on prion propagation and dissolve existing fibrils.American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a popular herb in traditional medicine systems and western Materia medica for anxiety and related disorders. It is reported to be one of the most widely used medicinal herbs, with anecdotal evidence for minimal side-effects and with no known toxicity. This article summarises the results of a pilot survey conducted amongst herbal medicine practitioners on their use of S. lateriflora.Brock, C., Whitehouse, J., Tewfik, I. and Towell, A. 2014. American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its effects on mood in healthy volunteers. Phytotherapy Research. 28 (5), pp. 692-698. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5044.