痤瘡桿菌(Propionibacterium acnes)是痤瘡等發炎疾病的重要因子，會刺激單核球等細胞分泌大量促發炎細胞激素IL-1β、IL-8，造成發炎反應。黃芩是一種傳統中草藥，在中醫合併其他藥物用來治療痤瘡，其主要活性成分有Baicalin、baicalein、wogonin和oroxylin A，具有抗發炎、抑制腫瘤生成等效果。
本研究以痤瘡桿菌刺激人類單核球細胞(THP-1)為發炎模式，先測試黃芩正丁醇、乙酸乙酯(EtOAc)粗萃物的抗發炎效果，發現黃芩EtOAc粗萃物及其所含有的七種黃酮類化合物oroxylin A、wogonin、7-O-methylwogonin、skullcapflavone II、5,7, 4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone、5,6,2'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone
和ganhuangenin，均可顯著抑制IL-1β和IL-8分泌。其中wogonin效果最佳，抑制IL-1β和IL-8分泌之IC50分別為4.9μM、8.7μM，其次為5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone抑制IL-1β和IL-8分泌之IC50為11.3μM和10.2μM。之後以小鼠耳朵注射痤瘡桿菌模式，檢測耳朵厚度和組織均質液IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α濃度，發現七個化合物皆可抑制耳朵發炎和腫脹現象且抑制三種細胞激素的分泌。
綜合而論，黃芩萃取物和其活性成分能有效抑制痤瘡桿菌引起的發炎反應，具改善痤瘡潛力

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the main pathogenic bacteria of acne vulgaris, stimulates IL-1β and IL-8 secretion in immunocytes. Radix Scutellariae (SB) is a common Chinese medicinal herb in Asia, having been used to treat acne. Our research evaluated the effects of SB extracts and its components on inflammation in THP-1 cells stimulated by P. acnes. The results showed that the ethylacetate (EtOAc)
extract of SB significantly inhibited P. acnes induced IL-1β and IL-8 secretion. Seven compounds, oroxylin A, wogonin, 7-O-methylwogonin, skullcapflavone II, 5,7, 4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone, 5,6,2'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone, and
ganhuangenin, isolated from SB EtOAc extract inhibited IL-1β and IL-8 secretion. Among them, wogonin had the best effect with IC50 of 4.9μM and 8.7μM for IL-1β and IL-8, respectively. Next was 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone with IC50 of 11.3μM and 10.2μM for IL-1β and IL-8, respectively. Subcutaneous injection of P. acnes into mouse ears increased ear thickness, and levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in ear homogenates. Each of the 7 compounds simultaneously injected with P. acnes reduced the ear thickness and the production of these 3 cytokines. In summary, EtOAc extract of SB and its seven components significantly inhibit P. acnes induced inflammation, and may improve acne vulgaris.

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