Baicalein, a compound found within Chinese skullcap, may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Baicalein 5,6,7-trimethyl ether, a flavonoid derivative, stimulates fatty acid beta-oxidation in skin fibroblasts of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.
FEBS Lett. 2005 Jan 17;579(2):409-14. PMID: 15642351
The purpose of the present study is to identify bioactive compounds with potential for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) pharmacological therapy. Various plant natural products including flavonoids were tested for their ability to ameliorate the abnormality of very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) metabolism in cultured skin-fibroblasts from X-ALD patients. Of the compounds tested, baicalein 5,6,7-trimethyl ether (baicalein-tri-Me) was found to significantly stimulate the VLCFA beta-oxidation activity. Furthermore, the incorporation of [1-(14)C]lignoceric acid into cholesteryl esters was markedly reduced towards the normal level and the VLCFA (C24:0 and C26:0) content was decreased. These results make baicalein-tri-Me a candidate for the therapeutic compound for X-ALD.