The advantages of using Scutellaria baicalensis and its flavonoids for the management of non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma

• Main Authors: Minting Chen, Haitao Xiao, Baisen Chen, Zhaoxiang Bian, Hiu Yee Kwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-03-01
• Series: Journal of Functional Foods
• Subjects: Scutellaria baicalensis; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Diabetes mellitus; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Obesity
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621000384

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is functional food and potential therapeutics for liver cancer. Among all the primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common sub-type. The non-viral causes of HCC include diabetes mellitus (DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking. All these non-viral causes have pathogenic effects on HCC. Bioinformatics studies show that S. baicalensis acts on different targets in a complex signaling network in HCC. Experimental studies also suggested S. baicalensis and its flavonoids not only possess anti-HCC effects, but also alleviate the pathogenic conditions that are associated with the non-viral risk factors such as hepatic steatosis, NAFLD, DM and obesity. Therefore, S. baicalensis and its flavonoids have an advantage for the management of non-viral HCC. This review comprehensively summarizes the clinical application, therapeutic effects, mode of action at molecular levels and the safety of S. baicalensis and its flavonoids in HCC treatment.