Baicalein, a component of Scutellaria baicalensis, induces apoptosis by Mcl-1 down-regulation in human pancreatic cancer cells

► Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and SB-derived polyphenols possess anti-proliferative activities in pancreatic cancer. ► Baicalein decreased mRNA and protein expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Mcl-1 and induced apoptosis. ► Mcl-1 knock-down induced apoptosis through caspase cascade, but Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL knock-down had no or only a slight effect. ► The effect of baicalein on apoptosis was significantly attenuated by Mcl-1 over-expression.