Baicalin inhibits free radicals processes initiated by chromium ions.

Chromium is essential in organism e.g., for the correct metabolism of glucose (an ingredient of the glucose tolerance factor ñ GTF), but it is also a toxic metal. Toxicity of chromium depends closely on its valence and is connected substantially with its oxidative properties. Cr(VI) is classified by IARC as carcinogenous for people (1, 2). Scutellaria baicalensis is a Chinese plant rich in flavonoids, especially baicalin, baicalein and wogonosid (3, 4). The extract received from this plant ñ Antoxyd (Bioactive Products Factory) showed to be an active radicals scavenger, also inhibiting the lipid peroxidation caused by chromium compounds (5). It was interesting to know whether baicalin, abundantly present in Antoxyd, can be responsible for this effect. In this study baicalinís influence on lipid peroxidation caused by chromium in human erythrocytes was evaluated. Also the scavenging ability of baicalin towards the hydroxyl radical generated by chromium ions in mitochondria of the human placenta was investigated. The aim of the study was to examine baicalinís interaction with chromium ions as well.