The genus Scutellaria an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review

Scutellaria (HUANG QIN) (Lamiaceae), which includes about 350 species commonly known as skullcaps, is widespread in Europe, the United States and East Asia. Some species are taken to clear away the heat-evil and expel superficial evils in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The present paper reviews the ethnopharmacology, the biological activities and the correlated chemical compounds of Scutellaria species. More than 295 compounds have been isolated, among them flavonoids and diterpenes. Studies show that Scutellaria and its active principles possess wide pharmacological actions, such as antitumor, anti-angiogenesis, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antibacterial and antiviral activities. Currently, effective monomeric compounds or active parts have been screened for pharmacological activity from Scutellaria in vivo and in vitro. Increasing data supports application and exploitation for new drug development.

Graphical abstractScutellaria (Lamiaceae) includes about 350 species commonly known as skullcaps, it is widespread in Europe, the United States and East Asia. Some species have been widely used as local medicine for thousands years. Review on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological literatures indicated extracts and monomer compounds from Scutellaria have great potential to cure cancer, hepatitis, HIV-1, etc.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide