Baicalin, a metabolite of baicalein with antiviral activity against dengue virus

Sci Rep. 2014 Jun 26:4:5452. doi: 10.1038/srep05452.

Abstract

Baicalin, a flavonoid derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, is the main metabolite of baicalein released following administration in different animal models and human. We previously reported the antiviral activity of baicalein against dengue virus (DENV). Here, we examined the anti-DENV properties of baicalin in vitro, and described the inhibitory potentials of baicalin at different steps of DENV-2 (NGC strain) replication. Our in vitro antiviral experiments showed that baicalin inhibited virus replication at IC50 = 13.5 ± 0.08 μg/ml with SI = 21.5 following virus internalization by Vero cells. Baicalin exhibited virucidal activity against DENV-2 extracellular particles at IC50 = 8.74 ± 0.08 μg/ml and showed anti-adsorption effect with IC50 = 18.07 ± 0.2 μg/ml. Our findings showed that baicalin as the main metabolite of baicalein exerting in vitro anti-DENV activity. Further investigations on baicalein and baicalin to deduce its antiviral therapeutic effects are warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dengue Virus / drug effects
  • Dengue Virus / physiology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Flavanones / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage*
  • Flavonoids / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / physiology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Flavanones
  • Flavonoids
  • baicalin
  • baicalein