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PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

Scutellaria baicalensis

Toxicity for Radix Scutellariae has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered orally in therapeutic
doses. In experimental studies, long term intravenous administration of wogonin, an active constituent of Radix
TOXICOLOGY Scutellariae, had no toxicity in dogs (Peng et al., 2009). Oral LD of wogonin is 3.9 g/kg of body weight in mice
50
(Hui et al., 2002). Intraperitoneal LD of baicalein an isolate of Radix Scutellariae is 3,081 mg/kg of body weight
50
(Chen & Chen, 2004).

Equivalent toxic dose in 20 kg dog: 78 g PO of wogonin, an active constituent of Radix Scutellariae.
Equivalent toxic dose in 5 kg cat: 19.5 g PO of wogonin, an active constituent of Radix Scutellariae.

DRUG Baicalin, an active constituent of Radix Scutellariae, can decrease the blood level of statin
INTERACTIONS drugs (Fan et al., 2008). Baicalin acts synergistically with oxytetracycline and tetracycline,
enhancing its antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin
and tetracycline-resistant strains (Novy et al., 2011). Baicalin exhibits synergism with
beta-lactam antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, methicillin, and cefotaxime (Liu
et al., 2000). Wogonin an active constituent of Radix Scutellariae inhibits CYP1A2 and
CYP2C19, and can affect the intracellular concentration of drugs metabolized by these
enzymes (Li et al., 2011). Radix Scutellariae decreases the bioavailability of cyclosporine
(Lai et al., 2004).

Polygala tenuifolia (Chinese Senega)

Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae is used as an expectorant for symptomatic treatment of coughs
due to bronchitis, emphysema and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract (Martindale, 1996;
WHO, 2004 ). The expectorant activity of Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae is due to the saponins
which produce local irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat and respiratory tract. This
irritation stimulates an increase in bronchial secretions, thereby diluting the mucus, reducing
its viscosity by reducing the surface tension, and facilitating expectoration (WHO, 2004). In
intragastric administration of Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae in cats, the output of respiratory
tract fluid increased by up to 173% within three to four hours (Kalra et al., 2011). It has been
suggested that Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae acts as an expectorant by way of a reflex from the
stomach. Oral administration of Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae syrup to dogs increased the output
of respiratory fluid within 5 minutes (Misawa & Yanaura, 1980).

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