The therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis for the treatment
of obesity-driven hepatocellular carcinoma
Abstract
Obesity is closely associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
which will develop into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Obesity per se
is also an independent risk factor for HCC. Lipotoxicity, adipose tissue
remodeling, modulation of immune infiltrates in tumors and adipocytes,
changes in intestinal microbiome all contribute to the pathogenesis of
HCC under obesity condition. These obesity-associated pathogenic factors
increase the clinical challenges for the management of obesity-driven
HCC. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae
family. It is clinically used for the treatment of hyperlipemia,
atherosclerosis, hypertension and inflammatory diseases. This article
reviews the current findings on the molecular basis of the anti-HCC
effects of S. baicalensis and its bioactive compounds, and discuss
whether the treatments can alleviate or ameliorate the
obesity-associated pathogenic factors. This is the first review unravels
the therapeutic potential of S. baicalensis and its bioactive compounds
for the treatment obesity-driven HCC.