Generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of apoptosis of HL60 cells by ingredients of Sho-saiko-to, the traditional herbal medicine

Abstract

Prooxidant and apoptosis-inducing effects of Sho-saiko-to, a traditional Sino-Japanese herbal medicine and its active ingredients were analyzed. Among the components of Sho-saiko-to, wogon the extract of Scutellaria root and licorice root induced an apoptosis of HL60 cells, and produced reactive oxygen species intracellularly. Baicalein the principal flavonoid in the Scutellaria root extract showed an induction of apoptosis of the cell, and further elevated the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species at the concentrations of 5 to 20μM. Glycyrrhetinic acid, an ingredient of licorice root extract, also induced apoptosis followed by the increase in the intracellular reactive oxygen species. Growth-inhibitory and differentiation-regulating effects of Sho-saiko-to can be explained by the apoptosis-inducing and reactive oxygen species-generating action of these ingreadients, baicalein and glycyrrhetinic acid.