Anticancer properties of baicalein: a review.

The constituents of many traditional Chinese herbal remedies are currently at the forefront of modern cancer research. Baicalein, a bioactive flavone widely used in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, has shown great potential in the treatment and prevention of cancer without causing severe side effects. Baicalein induces cancer cell apoptosis and causes cell cycle arrest. It shows inhibitory effects on angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation, all of which are necessary for the promotion and progression of cancer. This review presents an overview of the anticancer effects and mechanisms of baicalein. In addition, the bioavailability of baicalein and approaches to improve it are summarized. Moreover, treatments of baicalein in combination with other anticancer agents are also mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]