Tai Man Chun, Tsang Shui Ying, Chang Lawrence Y F, Xue Hong
Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
CNS Drug Rev. 2005 Summer;11(2):141-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1527-3458.2005.tb00266.x.
The search for flavonoids with novel therapeutic effects has been intense. Wogonin, as a naturally existing monoflavonoid, has been shown to have therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo. Methods for its extraction from herbs and its chemical synthesis have been developed. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown a rapid tissue distribution and prolonged plasma elimination phase of wogonin. It has been shown experimentally that wogonin exerts anti-oxidant activity, which may, in part, underlie its antiinflammatory, anti-cancer, antiviral and neuroprotective actions. The recent discovery of its anxiolytic activity suggests a new mechanism of action, involving interaction with the benzodiazepine (BZD) binding site of the GABA(A) receptor and modulation of this receptor activity. Although the safety record of wogonin is remarkable and voluminous literature about its pharmacological effects is available, it has not been used in Western medicine in the form of a pure chemical. In this article we review its therapeutic effects, its sources and pharmacokinetic profile to highlight its therapeutic potential.
对具有新型治疗作用的黄酮类化合物的研究一直很热烈。汉黄芩素作为一种天然存在的单黄酮类化合物，已显示出在体外和体内的治疗潜力。已经开发了从草药中提取它的方法及其化学合成方法。药代动力学研究表明汉黄芩素具有快速的组织分布和延长的血浆消除期。实验表明，汉黄芩素具有抗氧化活性，这可能部分是其抗炎、抗癌、抗病毒和神经保护作用的基础。最近发现其具有抗焦虑活性，提示了一种新的作用机制，涉及与GABA(A)受体的苯二氮䓬（BZD）结合位点相互作用并调节该受体活性。尽管汉黄芩素的安全记录良好，且有大量关于其药理作用的文献，但它尚未以纯化学形式用于西医。在本文中，我们综述了其治疗作用、来源和药代动力学概况，以突出其治疗潜力。
