*Baicalein (2011, '14, '16, '17) & Alzheimer's

Baicalein may be especially helpful for brain functioning.

Baicalein is a flavonoid, one of the most common types of plant-derived nutrients. It comes from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Scutellaria lateriflora. It has been much investigated with respect to cancer, glaucoma, viruses, etc, with recognized potential benefit.

Baicalein has been of great interest to investigators due to its versatility as a therapeutic agent for neurological diseases.^{1, 2} It shows therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease³ and significantly improves the biochemical and histopathological condition of AD in lab animals.⁴It protects synaptic functions and memory, by preventing amyloid beta impairment in the hippocampus of animal models of AD.^{5, 6} It may be that indirect action on impaired insulin signaling and glucose metabolism accounts for the protective effect.⁷

Research

1. Gasiorowski K, Lamer-Zarawska E, Leszek J, Parvathaneni K, Yendluri BB, et al. (2011). Flavones from root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi: Drugs of the future in neurodegeneration? CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. Mar;10:184-191.
2. Sowndhararajan K, Deepa P, Kim M, Park SJ, Kim S. (2017). Baicalein as a potent neuroprotective agent: A review. Biomed Pharmacother. Nov;95:1021-1032.
3. Li Y, Zhao J, Holscher C. (2017). Therapeutic Potential of Baicalein in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. CNS Drugs. Aug:31(8):639-852.
4. Zhou L, Tan S, Shan YL, Wang YG, Cai W, et al. (2016). Baicalein improves behavioral dysfunction induced by Alzheimer's disease in rats. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. Dec 9;12:3145-3152.
5. Gu XH, Xu LJ, Liu ZQ, Wei B, Yang YJ, et al. (2016). The flavonoid baicalein rescues synaptic plasticity and memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res. Sep 15;311:309-321.
6. Wei D, Tang J, Bai W, Wang Y, Zhang Z. (2014). Ameliorative effects of baicalein on amyloid-B induced Alzheimer's disease rat model: a proteomics study. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2014;11(9):869-81.
7. Chirumbolo S, Bjorklund G. (2016). Commentary: The Flavonoid Baicalein Rescues Synaptic Plasticity and Memory Deficits in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurol. Aug 29;7:141.