Baicalein protects rat cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation damage via a prooxidant mechanism

Baicalin and its aglycone baicalein are the major flavonoid components of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis. Recent studies have shown that they can attenuate oxidative stress in various in vitro models as they possess potent antioxidant activities. This study investigated alternative protective mechanisms of baicalein in a cardiomyocyte model. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes pretreated with the test compound were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation. The extent of cellular damage was accessed by the amount of released lactate dehydrogenase Pretreatment with baicalein up to 10 microM reduced lactate dehydrogenase release significantly (P