Scientific research reveals how the traditional herb regulates immune response in ulcerative colitis through T-cell and cytokine modulation.
The human intestine is more than just an organ for digesting food; it's one of the body's most important immune organs where approximately 70% of immune cells are concentrated. However, when ulcerative colitis—a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of unknown origin—develops here, patients suffer from persistent abdominal pain, bloody stools, diarrhea, and a significantly reduced quality of life5 .
Modern medicine attempts treatment with 5-ASA preparations, steroids, and immunosuppressants, but 20-40% of patients do not respond to conventional drug therapy, eventually facing the prospect of colectomy2 .
In this context, the traditional herbal medicine 'Scutellaria baicalensis' (Chinese skullcap) is gaining attention as a new alternative for treating ulcerative colitis, a disease considered difficult to cure. Scutellaria baicalensis has been widely used in traditional medicine for febrile diseases and digestive disorders due to its anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and sedative effects6 .
A study published in the Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science scientifically demonstrated how Scutellaria baicalensis acts on ulcerative colitis1 . The research team administered Scutellaria baicalensis extract (20mg/kg) orally for two weeks to experimental mice with colitis induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) and analyzed the response of lymphocytes collected from mesenteric lymph nodes.
| Immunoglobulin Type | Change in Treatment Group | Immunological Significance |
|---|---|---|
| IgE | Decreased | Suppression of allergic hypersensitivity reactions |
| IgA | Increased | Strengthening of mucosal immunity |
Experimental results showed that mice administered Scutellaria baicalensis extract exhibited decreased IgE levels and increased IgA levels1 .
IgE is an antibody associated with allergic reactions, while IgA is a major antibody responsible for mucosal immunity. These results suggest that Scutellaria baicalensis may have a dual regulatory effect, strengthening intestinal mucosal defense function while simultaneously suppressing excessive allergic inflammatory responses.
A more important mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis action lies in its ability to regulate the balance of T-cells and cytokines. Our body's immune system is maintained by the balance between two major T-cell groups: Th1 and Th2. When this balance is disrupted and Th2 responses become excessively activated, various allergic and inflammatory diseases occur.
| Cytokine Type | Change in Treatment Group | Role and Function |
|---|---|---|
| Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) | Significantly Increased | Promotes Th1 response, mediates cellular immunity |
| Interleukin-2 (IL-2) | Significantly Increased | Promotes T-cell proliferation and activation |
| Interleukin-4 (IL-4) | Decreased | Promotes Th2 response, activates B-cells |
| Interleukin-10 (IL-10) | Decreased | Suppresses immune response, alleviates inflammation |
Experimental results showed that in the group administered Scutellaria baicalensis extract, production of interferon-γ and interleukin-2 related to Th1 response significantly increased, while secretion of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 related to Th2 response decreased1 .
This indicates that Scutellaria baicalensis shifts the immune response balance (Th1/Th2 balance) from Th2 dominance toward Th1 direction, thereby suppressing the inflammatory response in ulcerative colitis.
These advanced immunology studies utilize sophisticated experimental tools and reagents.
| Reagent/Tool | Primary Function | Research Application |
|---|---|---|
| Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) | Induces intestinal epithelial cell damage | Creation of ulcerative colitis animal models |
| Concanavalin A | T-cell activation | Induction and measurement of experimental T-cell responses |
| ELISA Kit | Cytokine quantitative analysis | Measurement of concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, etc. |
| Flow Cytometry | Cell surface marker analysis | Classification and characterization of T-cell subtypes |
| Mesenteric Lymph Node Lymphocytes | Analysis of gut-related immune responses | Study of gut-specific immune responses |
The primary active component of Scutellaria baicalensis is known to be baicalein4 . Baicalein has the ability to regulate intracellular signaling by TSLP (Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin). TSLP is an important cytokine that signals the start of allergic inflammatory responses, and by blocking the signaling pathway of this substance, Scutellaria baicalensis can effectively suppress excessive inflammatory responses4 .
Initiates allergic inflammatory response
Blocks TSLP signaling pathway
Suppresses excessive immune response
This mechanism of action is fundamentally different from conventional immunosuppressants. Unlike general immunosuppressants that suppress the entire immune system, Scutellaria baicalensis works by adjusting and normalizing the imbalance in the immune system. This presents the possibility of addressing the root cause of ulcerative colitis while minimizing side effects.
Research on Scutellaria baicalensis is scientifically validating the value of herbal medicines and opening new horizons in the treatment paradigm for ulcerative colitis. The current ulcerative colitis treatment market has seen the emergence of new mechanism drugs such as 'Zeposia' (ozanimod) or 'Zimpentra' (infliximab subcutaneous formulation)5 7 .
These new drugs offer hope to patients who haven't responded to conventional treatments, but they still face challenges of high costs and lack of response in some patients.
Natural product-based therapeutics like Scutellaria baicalensis hold significant meaning as cost-effective alternatives with fewer side effects.
Particularly for chronic diseases requiring long-term use, the need for relatively safe natural product therapeutics is increasing. The current ulcerative colitis treatment market has seen the emergence of new mechanism drugs, but natural alternatives offer complementary approaches.
Chronic inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis require more than just symptom relief; the fundamental solution lies in restoring the balance of the immune system.
Research on Scutellaria baicalensis transcends the boundaries between traditional and modern medicine, providing important insights for the development of next-generation immune-modulating therapeutics.
An herbal medicine discovered centuries ago with insightful observation is now having its mechanisms of action proven one by one through 21st-century research technologies. This is a vivid example showing how the combination of traditional wisdom and modern science can create new breakthroughs in medicine.
If research on natural products including Scutellaria baicalensis continues to advance, more patients with difficult-to-treat diseases will be able to benefit from effective and safe treatments in the future.