Natural Product Research and Development – Scutellaria baicalensis Special Topic
Scutellaria baicalensis Radix, also known as Yuanqin or Kuqin, is the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is harvested in spring and autumn, and the roots and sediment are removed. After sun exposure, the rough skin is removed to obtain the Scutellaria baicalensis Radix. It has the effects of clearing heat and dampness, purging fire and detoxifying, stopping bleeding, and preventing miscarriage. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Scutellaria baicalensis has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, and immune regulating effects. Scutellaria baicalensis has a history of over a thousand years as a drug for treating diseases. Since modern times, Scutellaria baicalensis and related traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations have been officially included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the European Pharmacopoeia and the British Pharmacopoeia, such as Gegen Qinlian Pill (for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, fever, influenza). Flavonoids are the main bioactive components of Scutellaria baicalensis, such as the total flavonoids in Scutellaria baicalensis stems and leaves, which have been developed into a new drug (Huangqin Stem and Leaf Detoxification Capsules) mainly used to treat sore throat.

Although Scutellaria baicalensis is widely used in clinical practice, scientific evidence is insufficient to determine the pharmacological substance basis responsible for multiple biological activities. The quality control of Scutellaria baicalensis raw materials and related pharmaceuticals still needs to be improved, and the medicinal potential of active ingredients such as baicalein, baicalein, and baicalin still needs to be explored. This topic reviews the research literature on the phytochemistry, quality evaluation, pharmacology, and related flavonoid components of Scutellaria baicalensis in our journal, in order to provide reference for researchers, production enterprises, and policy makers to systematically understand this important natural medicine.