Background
- Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria barbata) is a plant native to southern China and all of Korea. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is used as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antitumor agent, especially in liver diseases such as hepatitis and liver cancer. In Western herbalism, it is better known as an ingredient in PC-SPES. High quality human study is lacking,
- WARNING: PC-SPES HAS BEEN RECALLED FROM THE U.S. MARKET AND SHOULD NOT BE USED.
- There is little safety information available from clinical trials using Baikal skullcap. However, BZL101 (an aqueous Baikal skullcap extract) administered short term to patients with advanced breast cancer showed no serious side effects other than nausea, diarrhea, headache, flatulence, vomiting, constipation, and fatigue.
References
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
- Chan JY, Tang PM, Hon PM, et al. Pheophorbide a, a major antitumor component purified from Scutellaria barbata, induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Planta Med 2006;72(1):28-33.
View Abstract - Goh D, Lee YH, Ong ES. Inhibitory effects of a chemically standardized extract from Scutellaria barbata in human colon cancer cell lines, LoVo. J Agric.Food Chem 10-19-2005;53(21):8197-8204.
View Abstract - Kim JH, Lee EO, Lee HJ, et al. Caspase activation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase/Akt inhibition were involved in luteolin-induced apoptosis in Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Ann.N Y.Acad.Sci 2006;1090:147-160.
View Abstract - Rugo H, Shtivelman E, Perez A, et al. Phase I trial and antitumor effects of BZL101 for patients with advanced breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 11-17-2006.
View Abstract - Suh SJ, Yoon JW, Lee TK, et al. Chemoprevention of Scutellaria bardata on human cancer cells and tumorigenesis in skin cancer. Phytother Res 2007;21(2):135-141.
View Abstract - Yin X, Zhou J, Jie C, et al. Anticancer activity and mechanism of Scutellaria barbata extract on human lung cancer cell line A549. Life Sci 9-17-2004;75(18):2233-2244.
View Abstract