WOGONIN
WOGONIN research profile covering evidence quality, proposed mechanisms, safety considerations, regulatory status, and linked primary sources.
Evidence-led profile
Research snapshot
- Evidence stage
- Emerging research
- References
- 7 linked sources
- Research coverage
- 1 area
- Editorial review
- Jul 7, 2026
Published by the PepGuide Editorial Team using our research methodology.
Wogonin is a natural flavonoid compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap) and related species. It functions primarily through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-cancer mechanisms, including modulation of MAPK signaling pathways, inhibition of COX-2 expression, and induction of ferroptosis in cancer cells. Research suggests potential applications in cancer treatment, pulmonary conditions, and inflammatory diseases.
Research
Reported Effects
Cancer Applications:: Shows promising results in preclinical studies for pancreatic and lung cancer through ferroptosis induction and PI3K/AKT pathway modulation. Pulmonary Conditions:: Demonstrates effectiveness in reducing pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation in animal models. Cardiac Protection:: Provides significant protection against septic cardiomyopathy in experimental settings. Limited Human Data:: Most evidence comes from in vitro and animal studies; clinical human trials are lacking
- Shows promising results in preclinical studies for pancreatic and lung cancer through ferroptosis induction and PI3K/AKT pathway modulation
- Demonstrates effectiveness in reducing pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation in animal models
- Provides significant protection against septic cardiomyopathy in experimental settings
- Most evidence comes from in vitro and animal studies; clinical human trials are lacking
Safety and Limitations
Safety Profile: Wogonin
Common Side Effects
- Limited human clinical data; most safety information derived from in vitro and animal studies
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort including nausea and stomach upset at typical supplement doses
- Potential sedative effects and drowsiness due to GABAergic activity (wogonin is a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors)
- Mild headache reported by some users
- Dizziness and lightheadedness, potentially related to anxiolytic effects
Serious Adverse Effects
- Hepatotoxicity: High-dose wogonin has shown hepatotoxic effects in some animal studies; monitor liver function with prolonged use
- Pro-apoptotic activity: Wogonin induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines in vitro; while potentially therapeutic, effects on healthy cells at high doses are not fully characterized
- Bleeding risk: Wogonin and related flavones from Scutellaria baicalensis may have antiplatelet and anticoagulant properties
- Limited pharmacokinetic data in humans; bioavailability, half-life, and dose-response relationships not well established
- Potential immunomodulatory effects could theoretically worsen autoimmune conditions
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to wogonin, Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap), or related Lamiaceae family plants
- Active liver disease or hepatic impairment (hepatotoxicity risk)
- Concurrent use of CNS depressants (additive sedation via GABA modulation)
- Active bleeding disorders or upcoming surgery (discontinue 2 weeks prior)
- Pregnancy and lactation (insufficient safety data; pro-apoptotic activity is a concern)
Drug Interactions
- Benzodiazepines and other GABAergic drugs: Additive sedation and CNS depression; wogonin binds GABA-A receptors at the benzodiazepine site
- Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets: Potential additive bleeding risk
- CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 substrates: Wogonin may inhibit these enzymes in vitro; clinical significance uncertain but caution warranted with narrow therapeutic index drugs
- Hepatotoxic drugs (acetaminophen, statins, methotrexate): Additive liver injury risk
- Chemotherapy agents: Wogonin has shown synergistic cytotoxicity with some chemotherapeutics in vitro; consult oncologist
Population-Specific Considerations
- Elderly: Higher susceptibility to sedative effects; start with lowest dose; monitor for falls and drowsiness
- Pediatric: No safety data; not recommended
- Anxiety patients: Potential therapeutic benefit via GABA modulation, but should not replace evidence-based anxiolytics
- Cancer patients: Investigational anticancer properties; do not use as a substitute for standard therapy; consult oncologist
- Liver disease patients: Avoid due to potential hepatotoxicity
Common Side Effects
- Limited Safety Data:: Few reported side effects in research studies, but long-term human safety data is minimal
- Interaction Potential:: As a COX-2 inhibitor and MAPK modulator, may interact with medications affecting these pathways
- Metabolic Considerations:: Converts to oroxylin A metabolite which may have different activity profile than parent compound
- Red Blood Cell Effects:: While protective against eryptosis in some conditions, effects on normal red blood cell function require further study
Reconstitution Calculator
Pharmacokinetic Profile
Molecular Structure
- Formula
- C16H12O5
- Weight
- 284.26 Da
- PubChem CID
- 5281703
- Exact Mass
- 284.0685 Da
- LogP
- 3
- TPSA
- 76 Ų
- H-Bond Donors
- 2
- H-Bond Acceptors
- 5
- Rotatable Bonds
- 2
- Complexity
- 426
Identifiers (SMILES, InChI)
InChI=1S/C16H12O5/c1-20-15-12(19)7-10(17)14-11(18)8-13(21-16(14)15)9-5-3-2-4-6-9/h2-8,17,19H,1H3
XLTFNNCXVBYBSX-UHFFFAOYSA-NReferences (7)
- [2]Wogonin Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis and Oxidative Stress Injury via the MAPK Signaling Pathway
→ Wogonin significantly reduced pulmonary fibrosis and oxidative stress in a rat model by modulating the MAPK pathway, showing potential as a therapeutic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
- [3]Wogonin, a bioactive flavonoid in herbal tea, inhibits inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in human lung epithelial cancer cells
→ Wogonin inhibited PMA-induced COX-2 expression in lung cancer cells at the transcriptional level through the MEK1/2 pathway and AP-1 activity, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
- [4]Antiproliferative Wnt inhibitor wogonin prevents eryptosis following ionophoric challenge, hyperosmotic shock, oxidative stress, and metabolic deprivation
→ Wogonin protected red blood cells from premature death (eryptosis) under various stress conditions including calcium overload and oxidative stress, suggesting potential in preventing chemotherapy-related anemia.
- [5]Detection of baicalin metabolites baicalein and oroxylin-a in mouse pancreas and pancreatic xenografts
→ Study demonstrated that baicalin from Scutellaria baicalensis undergoes significant methylation to oroxylin A during absorption, with substantial amounts detected in pancreatic tissue and tumors, showing tissue-specific distribution patterns.
- [6]Comparison of the major flavonoid content of S. baicalensis, S. lateriflora, and their commercial products
→ Analysis of Scutellaria species found significant variations in wogonin and baicalin content between roots and aerial parts, with roots containing substantially higher levels of active flavonoids.
- [1]Wogonin attenuates septic cardiomyopathy by suppressing ALOX15-mediated ferroptosis
→ Wogonin protected against septic cardiomyopathy in mice by directly binding to and inhibiting ALOX15, preventing cardiomyocyte ferroptosis and improving cardiac function. The cardioprotective effects were mediated through suppression of ALOX15-initiated ferroptosis.
- [7]Lai MY, Hsiu SL, Chen CC, Hou YC, Chao PD Urinary pharmacokinetics of baicalein, wogonin and their glycosides after oral administration of Scutellariae Radix in humans Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin (2003)
→ In healthy volunteers given oral Scutellariae Radix powder (5.2 g), wogonin was absorbed and excreted mainly as glucuronide/sulfate conjugates, confirming oral bioavailability of wogonin delivered via standardized Scutellaria baicalensis extract.
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