Planta Med 2005; 71(5): 440-445
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-864140
Original Paper
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Enhancing Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis and Some of its Constituents on TGF-β1 Gene Expression in RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophage Cell Line

Han-Ning Chuang1 , Jir-You Wang1 , Jen-Hwey Chiu1 , 2 , 3 , Tung-Hu Tsai4 , Sheau-Farn Yeh5 , Shu-Ling Fu1 , Wing-Yiu Lui2 , Chew-Wun Wu2
  • 1Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, ROC
  • 2Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
  • 3Department of Surgery, Cheng-Hsing Rehabilitation Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
  • 4National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
  • 5Institute of Biochemistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, ROC
Further Information

Publication History

Received: July 13, 2004

Accepted: December 21, 2004

Publication Date:
01 June 2005 (online)

Abstract

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) has been implicated as an inhibitor of cell proliferation and a potent inducer of apoptosis. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SbG) has been widely used in Asia and recent investigations have shown that SbG has anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the modulatory effect of SbG on TGF-β1 gene expression. By using RAW 264.7 cell line as an in vitro model, the effects of SbG on TGF-β1 gene expression were evaluated by ELISA, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative PCR. Many inhibitors such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor (PD98059), p38-MAPK inhibitor (SB203580), NF-κB inhibitor (aspirin) and protein kinase C inhibitor (H7) were used to determine the possible signal transduction pathways. The results showed that crude extracts of SbG as well as its pure compounds, baicalin, baicalein and chrysin up-regulated TGF-β1 gene expression on RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the flavonoid of SbG, wogonin, did not up-regulate TGF-β1 expression on gene and protein levels on RAW264.7 cells. The facts that aspirin and H7 but not PD98059 and SB203580 blocked the enhancing effect suggested that NF-κB and PKC might be involved in baicalin-enhanced TGF-β1 gene expression. We conclude that SbG up-regulates TGF-β1 gene expression on RAW264.7 cells through NF-κB and PKC pathways and this might provide evidence to explain the therapeutic effect and potential adverse effects on the clinical use of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.

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Jen-Hwey Chiu, M.D., Ph. D.

Institute of Traditional Medicine

School of Medicine

National Yang-Ming University

155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong St.

Peitou

Taipei 112

Taiwan

Republic of China

Fax: +886-2-2875-7537

Email: chiujh@mailsrv.ym.edu.tw

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