Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
Scutellarein is a flavone compound found in Scutellaria baicalensis that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation. It modulates TNFR2 receptors on regulatory T-cells and suppresses VEGF expression, showing potential anti-cancer effects in laboratory studies.
CategoryNamed Bioactive Compounds
GroupCompound
Evidence LevelModerate
Primary Keywordscutellarein benefits
Synergy Pairings3
Scutellarein — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Scutellarein is a flavone compound (C15H10O6) naturally found in plants of the Scutellaria genus, including Chinese skullcap (S. baicalensis) and American skullcap (S. lateriflora). It is typically extracted from plant material using ethanol or methanol solvents, followed by chromatographic purification, yielding a light yellow powder with ≥98% purity.
“Scutellarein is a minor constituent in Scutellaria species used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 1,000 years, particularly S. baicalensis (Huang Qin) for fever and inflammation. Native Americans have used S. lateriflora for anxiety and spasms since the 18th century, though scutellarein was not isolated until its structure was elucidated in 1910.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses have been conducted specifically on scutellarein. Research is limited to preclinical in vitro and animal models, with human studies only available for its glucuronide form, scutellarin (e.g., PMID: 19499850 showing improved neurological scores in 80 stroke patients).
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
No clinically studied dosages exist for scutellarein due to absence of human trials. Preclinical studies use 10-100 μM in cell cultures or 10-50 mg/kg in rodents, while commercial products suggest 5-50 mg/day without clinical validation. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Nutritional Profile
Scutellarein (4',5,6-trihydroxyflavone) is a pure bioactive flavone compound, not a whole food ingredient, and therefore does not contain macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates), dietary fiber, vitamins, or minerals in any relevant quantity. Its nutritional characterization is defined entirely by its identity as a single polyphenolic molecule. Molecular weight: 286.24 g/mol. Molecular formula: C15H10O6. It belongs to the flavone subclass of flavonoids, characterized by a 4',5,6-trihydroxylated flavone backbone. Scutellarein is the aglycone form of scutellarin (scutellarein-7-O-glucuronide), and is primarily obtained in vivo through hydrolysis of scutellarin by intestinal microbiota or hepatic enzymes. Natural sources include Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap), Scutellaria lateriflora, and Erigeron breviscapus, where it occurs predominantly in glycoside form (scutellarin) at concentrations ranging approximately 0.1–4% dry weight in aerial plant parts. Bioavailability: oral bioavailability of scutellarein as a free aglycone is limited due to poor aqueous solubility (logP approximately 1.9–2.4) and rapid phase II metabolism (glucuronidation and sulfation). Peak plasma concentrations following oral scutellarin administration in rodent models suggest conversion to scutellarein with Tmax of approximately 1–2 hours. Nanoparticle and phospholipid complex formulations have demonstrated enhanced bioavailability in preclinical studies (up to 3–5 fold improvement). No established dietary reference intake or recommended dose exists; experimental in vitro concentrations typically range from 10–100 µM.
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
Scutellarein activates the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway, enhancing cellular defense against oxidative stress through increased heme oxygenase-1 expression. It selectively binds to TNFR2 receptors on regulatory T-cells, potentially modulating immune responses. The compound also suppresses VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) expression, which may inhibit angiogenesis in tumor development.
Clinical Evidence
Current research on scutellarein is limited to preclinical in vitro and animal studies, with no human clinical trials published to date. Laboratory studies have demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values ranging from 15-30 μM in various antioxidant assays. In vitro cancer cell studies show growth inhibition rates of 40-60% at concentrations of 50-100 μM across multiple cell lines. The evidence remains preliminary and requires human clinical validation to establish therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles.
Safety & Interactions
Safety data for scutellarein is extremely limited due to lack of human studies, making it difficult to establish safe dosage ranges or identify potential adverse effects. As a flavone compound, it may interact with cytochrome P450 enzymes, potentially affecting medication metabolism, though specific drug interactions have not been documented. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid scutellarein due to insufficient safety data and potential hormonal effects through estrogen receptor modulation. Individuals with autoimmune conditions should exercise caution given its T-cell regulatory effects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What foods contain scutellarein naturally?
Scutellarein is primarily found in Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap) root, with concentrations typically ranging from 0.1-0.5% by dry weight. It also occurs in smaller amounts in other Scutellaria species and select Chrysanthemum varieties used in traditional Chinese medicine.
How does scutellarein compare to other flavones for antioxidant activity?
Scutellarein demonstrates superior antioxidant activity compared to quercetin and luteolin in DPPH assays, with IC50 values approximately 2-3 times lower. Its unique hydroxyl group positioning at carbons 5,6,7 provides enhanced free radical scavenging capacity compared to most common dietary flavones.
What is the bioavailability of scutellarein in humans?
Human bioavailability data for scutellarein is currently unavailable due to lack of clinical studies. Animal studies suggest poor oral absorption (less than 5%) due to extensive first-pass metabolism, though specific absorption enhancers have not been tested.
Can scutellarein be taken with blood thinning medications?
The safety of combining scutellarein with anticoagulant medications is unknown due to insufficient research. Given its potential effects on cellular signaling pathways and limited safety data, consultation with a healthcare provider is essential before combining with any prescription medications.
What dosage of scutellarein is used in research studies?
In vitro studies typically use scutellarein concentrations between 10-100 μM for biological effects. Animal studies have employed doses ranging from 5-50 mg/kg body weight, but no established human equivalent doses exist due to the absence of clinical trials.
What does the current research evidence show about scutellarein's effectiveness in humans?
Most evidence for scutellarein comes from in vitro (test tube) and animal model studies, with very limited human clinical trials available. While preclinical research suggests potential antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer properties, these findings have not yet been confirmed in controlled human studies. Current evidence is insufficient to make definitive claims about efficacy in humans, and more rigorous clinical research is needed before strong recommendations can be made.
Is scutellarein safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
There is insufficient safety data on scutellarein use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is generally not recommended during these periods without medical guidance. Most supplement ingredients lack adequate human safety studies in pregnant or nursing women, and animal studies alone cannot reliably predict human safety in these sensitive populations. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a healthcare provider before using scutellarein supplements.
How does scutellarein's mechanism of action differ from other bioactive compounds used in neuroprotection supplements?
Scutellarein's neuroprotective effects appear to work through estrogen receptor modulation and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, mechanisms distinct from many other neuroprotective compounds that primarily rely on antioxidant activity alone. Its dual action on hormone-sensitive pathways and enzyme inhibition makes it mechanistically unique compared to simpler antioxidants like quercetin or resveratrol. However, these mechanisms have only been demonstrated in animal models, not in human studies, limiting conclusions about comparative effectiveness.
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