Studies on Scutellariae Radix

Abstract

Ogon, an important Chinese crude drug (the dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI), is listed in ancient Chinese herbals and is used in the treatment of a number of diseases. Ether extract of this crude drug showed a relatively marked antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Fractionation of the extract accompanied by the bioassay led to the isolation of active principles. The structure of one of these was elucidated as 2(S), 2′, 5, 6′, 7-tetrahydroxyflavanone.