wogonin

Wogonin is an O-methylated flavone and a flavonoid-like chemical compound primarily found in the root of the herb Scutellaria baicalensis. It exhibits multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic without sedative or muscle-relaxing effects typical of benzodiazepines, anticonvulsant properties, and potential antitumor effects. Wogonin acts as a positive allosteric modulator at the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor with moderate affinity (Ki ~0.92 μM), significantly less potent than diazepam but with lower toxicity (LD50 in mice ~3.9 g/kg). It also inhibits inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and TNF-alpha by blocking phosphorylation pathways like p38 MAPK and JNK. Wogonin has shown chondroprotective effects by suppressing matrix-degrading enzymes (MMPs) relevant to osteoarthritis treatment and has been studied for topical application in joint diseases. It is under clinical trial investigation as an anti-cancer agent in China.[1][2][3][7][9]

Other names

5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one