Antifibrotic Effect of Baicalin on Arecoline Induced Human Oral Fibroblast: An In-Vitro Study.

Background: Baicalin is a flavonoid obtained from the Chinese herb Scutellaria baicalensis, which has a wide varieties of health benefits and scope to be studied for its therapeutic potential in oral fibrosis.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the antifibrotic effect of a Baicalin in arecoline induced human oral fibroblast in vitro setting.

Material And Methods: Arecoline and ethanolic extracts of Baicalin were commercially purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Human oral fibroblasts were cultured and characterized with specific fibroblast markers, and cells were stimulated with arecoline. An MTT assay (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was executed to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of arecoline and Baicalin. Arecoline-induced cells (25µg/ml) were treated with a non-toxic dose of Baicalin (proliferative dose of 25µg/ml). Cytokine (CCL2, CXCL-8, IL17, IL-beta, and IL-6) and fibrotic marker genes were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The inhibitory effect of Baicalin was studied to prove its antifibrotic properties.

Results: Arecoline significantly upregulated all inflammatory and fibrotic markers. On treatment with 25µg/ml of Baicalin, all inflammatory and fibrotic markers were inhibited. Arecoline affects fibroblast morphology, supporting the fact that arecoline is cytotoxic to cells.

Conclusion: Baicalin can be used as an antifibrotic herb to treat OSMF.