Current biological and pharmacological updates on wogonin

Abstract

Wogonin (5, 7-Dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone) is a traditional naturally occurring flavonoid derived from the root extract of Chinese medicine, named Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Wogonin contains various biological properties which include allergic diseases, anti-cancertherapy and anti-inflammatory activities. Wogonin also shows the effects of removing toxins and cleansing heat. Wogonin glycosides are known as wogonosides. Oroxindin, a wogonin glucuronide isolated from Oroxylum indicum, is one of the example of wogonoside. It is also used in Japanese herbal supplement named Sho-Saiko-To, as an important active ingredient. One of the major active constituents of wogonin, Scutellaria baicalensis, shows potent anticancer activities both in vivo and in vitro studies. The anticancer therapeutic activity of wogonin has been shown by regulation of different cell signaling pathways , which includes protein kinase B pathway (serine-threonine kinase) and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways. Wogonin also shows positive therapeutic anticancer effects in breast cancer by inhibiting the 5‑LO/BLT2/ERK/IL‑8/MMP‑9 signaling cascade and established a major pharmacological anticancer activity.