Liver dysfunction has been known to occur frequently in cases of
sepsis.
Baicalein, the main active ingredient of the Scutellaria root, exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in endotoxic
shock. However, the role of
baicalein in polymicrobial
sepsis-induced liver injury and its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of
baicalein on polymicrobial
sepsis-induced liver injury and to explore the possible mechanisms. Polymicrobial
sepsis was induced by cecal
ligation and
puncture (CLP) in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were treated with
baicalein (100mg/kg, i.p) at 1h, 6h and 12h following CLP.
Baicalein significantly improved the survival of septic mice. Treatment with
baicalein ameliorated the CLP-induced liver injury, as indicated by the lower serum
aminotransferase levels and the fewer histopathologic abnormalities.
Baicalein reduced the neutrophil infiltration and the hepatic inflammatory
cytokine expression and release. It also decreased the hepatic and the serum high-mobility group box 1 and
macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in septic mice. Moreover,
baicalein significantly inhibited the
mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activation and suppressed the transcriptional activity of
nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In conclusion, these results suggest that
baicalein treatment could protect against the
sepsis-induced liver injury, and improve the survival of mice with polymicrobial
sepsis. The mechanism of the protective action of
baicalein seems to involve its ability to reduce inflammatory response, to inhibit hepatic apoptosis, and to suppress MAPKs and NF-κB activation.