Baicalein, an α-Glucosidase Inhibitor from <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i>

Abstract

Methanol extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis, Rheum officinale, and Paeonia suffruticosa showed potent inhibitory activity against rat intestinal sucrase. The active principles were identified as baicalein from the first and methyl gallate from the last two plants. In addition to its activity against the rat enzyme, baicalein also inhibited human intestinal sucrase expressed in Caco-2 cells.