Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Baicalein, a compound extracted from a variety of herbs, showed various pharmacological effects. This study evaluated the relaxant effects of baicalein and its underlying molecular mechanisms of action on rat's isolated tracheal smooth muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tracheal smooth muscle were contracted by 10 μM methacholine or 60 mM KCl and the effects of cumulative concentrations of baicalein (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/ml) and theophylline (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mM) were evaluated. To examine the possible mechanism(s) of the relaxant effect of baicalein, its effect was also evaluated on incubated tissues with atropine, indomethacin, diltiazem, N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), glibenclamide, propranolol and chlorpheniramine. RESULTS: A concentration-dependent and significant relaxant effect was seen for baicalein in non-incubated tissues contracted by KCl or methacholine (P<0.01 to P<0.001). No significant difference was seen between the relaxant effects of high concentrations of baicalein and theophylline. The relaxant effects of all concentrations of baicalein in incubated tissues with glibenclamide, propranolol and chlorpheniramine were significantly lower than non-incubated tissues (P<0.05 to P<0.001). Additionally, the EC(50) values of baicalein in incubated tissue with propranolol was significantly higher than non-incubated condition (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: A potent relaxant effect comparable to the effect of theophylline was shown for baicalein, which was probably mediated via inhibition of histamine (H1) receptors, stimulation of beta2-adrenergic receptors and potassium channels activation.