Tanshinone IIA and Baicalin inhibiting the formation of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene induced cytotoxicity: correlation with scavenging free radical.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is formed by incomplete combustion of organic materials, and causes oxidative damage to cells and tissues due to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibition of Tanshinone IIA and Baicalin on the formation of BaP as well as the cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by BaP. The results showed that BaP formations in mainstream smoke were inhibited by 21μg/cigarette of Tanshinone IIA with a 12.