Date Posted: 10 September 2009
A flavone derivative ("baicalensis"), extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis flowers, has been shown to reduce vascular abnormality and ganglion cell loss in an animal model of diabetic retinopathy. Known as "Huang-qin" in China, the root has a centuries old history as a folk medicine in both China and Japan for the treatment of chronic hepatitis, thrombotic stroke and inflammatory disease. Scutellaria baicalensis is one of the "50 fundamental herbs" in Chinese herbology and the research extract used "baicalein" is suitable for oral delivery and may be readily absorbed in the stomach and small intestine.
Researchers from the Peking Eye Centre in Beijing and Guangzhou University in Shenzhen administered an oral dosage of 150mg per kilo body weight per day to animal models of diabetic retinopathy. Within 6 months of treatment animals showed a significant reduction in ganglion cell loss and an improved organisation of the inner and outer segments in comparison to untreated controls.
Administration of baicalein appeared to exert an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to ameliorating high-glucose induced microglial activation and vascular abnormality. The research team, led by Dr. Shun-min Li, suggest that the use of baicalensis to modulate inflammatory responses in retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy could play an important role in reducing neuronal cell loss and vascular damage. [Yang et al, IOVS, 2009, Vol. 5, 2319-2327].
no comments posted
Your IP address: 38.107.191.84