The advantages of using Scutellaria baicalensis and its flavonoids for the management of non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is functional food and potential therapeutics for liver cancer. Among all the primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common sub-type. The non-viral causes of HCC include diabetes mellitus (DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking. All these non-viral causes have pathogenic effects on HCC. Bioinformatics studies show that S. baicalensis acts on different targets in a complex signaling network in HCC. Experimental studies also suggested S. baicalensis and its flavonoids not only possess anti-HCC effects, but also alleviate the pathogenic conditions that are associated with the non-viral risk factors such as hepatic steatosis, NAFLD, DM and obesity. Therefore, S. baicalensis and its flavonoids have an advantage for the management of non-viral HCC. This review comprehensively summarizes the clinical application, therapeutic effects, mode of action at molecular levels and the safety of S. baicalensis and its flavonoids in HCC treatment.