Anticancer Properties of Scutellaria baicalensis Root in Aspect of Innate Immunity Regulation Przeciwnowotworowa aktywność tarczycy bajkalskiej w świetle regulacji wrodzonej odporności

Cancer disease is accompanied by inflammation, oxidative stress, strong proliferation of cancer cells with growth of tumor and its vascularisation, metastases and also by reduction of innate immunity. Anticancer effect of Scutellaria baicalensis flavones in view of present literature data is discussed. Inhibition of growth different tumor cell lines by flavones isolated from root of the plant: wogonin, baicalein and baicalin, but not wogonoside is presented. The anticancer activity of the flavones is connected with reduction of high level reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduction of inflammatory reaction, and NFκB activation. Inhibition of cell cycle and involvement cyclins in the process is discussed. The most important anticancer reaction of Scutellaria flavones is stimulation of apoptosis of cancer cells. Molecular mechanism of anti-prostate, anti-breast cancer activity of Scutellaria baicalensis extract and herbal mixture PC-SPES is discussed. Role of flavonoids obtained from Scutellaria extracts in human leukemia cell lines are described. Importance of leukocyte antiviral innate immunity for chemotherapy and course of acute leukemia disease is presented. Strengthening of the leukocyte antiviral resistance by flavones of Scutellaria baicalensis and modulation of cytokines production seem also very important in cancer therapy (Adv Clin Exp Med 2010, 19, 4, 419–428).