Investigation of the Antitumor Potential of Scutellaria baicalensis-Derived Flavones in Human Cervical Carcinoma Cells

Samreen Raza; Muhammad Naeem; Abida Noor; Izaz Khan; Farah Shireen; Tanveer Tara; Ali Sabir; Iqbal Nisa; Abid Ur Rehman

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.596

Authors

Samreen Raza Center for Plant science and Biodiversity, University of Swat, KP, Pakistan.
Muhammad Naeem Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Pharmacy (Sechenov University), Russia.
Abida Noor Sarhad Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
Izaz Khan Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology (CB&M), University of Swat, KP, Pakistan.
Farah Shireen Department of Allied Health Sciences, Iqra National University, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
Tanveer Tara Department of Health Sciences, National Skills University Islamabad, Pakistan.
Ali Sabir Department of Physiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
Iqbal Nisa Department of Microbiology, Women University Swabi, KP, Pakistan.
Abid Ur Rehman Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Hazara University Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.596

Keywords:

Antitumor, Scutellaria baicalensis, Flavones and Cervical Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a critical global health issue, with approximately 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths annually. While progress in prevention and treatment has been made, challenges such as drug resistance and side effects of current therapies emphasize the need for alternative treatments. This study explores the antitumor effects of Scutellaria baicalensis-derived flavones—baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin—on cervical carcinoma cell lines (HeLa and SiHa). Cytotoxicity was measured through MTT assays, showing dose- and time-dependent decreases in cell viability. Baicalein exhibited the highest potency, with an IC50 of 15 µM for HeLa and 18 µM for SiHa cells at 48 hours, compared to 25 µM for baicalin and 20 µM for wogonin. After 72 hours, all three flavones reduced cell viability by over 80% at concentrations ≥30 µM (p < 0.05). Apoptosis analysis using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining revealed that baicalein (20 µM) induced apoptosis in 46% of HeLa cells, compared to 35% for baicalin (25 µM) and 40% for wogonin (20 µM). In wound healing assays, baicalein (10 µM) inhibited migration by 70% after 24 hours, while baicalin and wogonin reduced migration by 55% and 60%, respectively. Western blotting showed that baicalein upregulated pro-apoptotic Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 by 50%. Additionally, baicalein reduced phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) levels by 60% and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) by 50%. These results highlight the potent antitumor activity of Scutellaria baicalensis flavones, suggesting their potential for future clinical application in cervical cancer treatment.

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