The effect of baicalin in a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity

• Published in: BMB reports Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 271 - 276
• Main Authors: Jo, Hyoung, Jung, Sang Hoon, Yim, Hye Bin, Lee, Sung Jin, Kang, Kui Dong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 01.05.2015; 생화학분자생물학회
• Subjects: Angiotensin II - metabolism; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation - drug effects; Flavonoids - therapeutic use; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; Mice; Retinopathy of Prematurity - drug therapy; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; 화학
• ISSN: 1976-6696; 1976-670X
• DOI: 10.5483/BMBRep.2015.48.5.131

Baicalin is a flavonoid derived from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis. In this study, oxygen-induced retinopathy was used to characterize the anti-angiogenic properties of baicalin in mice. Pups were exposed to a hyperbaric oxygen environment to induce retinal angiogenesis and were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of baicalin. Avascular area, neovascular tufts, and neovascular lumens were quantified from digital images. Compared to the vehicle, baicalin clearly reduced the central avascular zone and the number of neovascular tufts and lumens. High-dose baicalin (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, angiotensin II, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These results show that baicalin is a powerful antiangiogenic compound that attenuates new vessel formation in the retina after systemic administration, and is a candidate substance for therapeutic inhibition of retinal angiogenesis.