Scutellaria indica
| Scutellaria indica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scutellaria indica in bloom | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Scutellaria |
| Species: | S. indica |
| Binomial name | |
| Scutellaria indica L. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Scutellaria indica is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, where it occurs across eastern and southeastern Asia and into Malesia.[1][2]
The species is a perennial herb and has been studied for its phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties.[3][4]
Description
Scutellaria indica is a perennial herbaceous plant characterized by opposite leaves and bilabiate flowers typical of the genus Scutellaria.
Distribution and habitat
The species is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical Asia. Its native range includes China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku, and New Guinea.[1][2]
It typically occurs in warm, moist environments.[1]
Taxonomy
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in Species Plantarum.[2]
Several infraspecific taxa are recognized:[1][2]
- Scutellaria indica var. indica
- Scutellaria indica var. elliptica
- Scutellaria indica var. subacaulis
- Scutellaria indica var. tsusimensis
- Scutellaria indica f. parvifolia
Phytochemistry
Scutellaria indica contains a range of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and glycosides.[3][4]
Chemical fingerprinting studies using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have been used to establish characteristic chemical profiles for the species and to support quality control of plant material.[5]
Pharmacology
Extracts and isolated compounds from Scutellaria indica have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in experimental studies, particularly through inhibition of nitric oxide production in stimulated macrophage cells.[3][4]
Several compounds isolated from the species, including scutellariosides and other phenolic glycosides, have been investigated for their possible interactions with inflammatory targets such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and interleukin-8 (IL-8).[3][4]
Germination biology
A 2025 study on the Korean endemic taxon Scutellaria indica var. coccinea found that its seeds exhibit type 2 non-deep physiological dormancy and that germination is promoted by cold stratification or gibberellic acid treatment.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Scutellaria indica L." Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Scutellaria indica L." World Flora Online. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Cuong, To Dao; Hung, Tran Manh; Lee, Joo-Sang; Weon, Kwon-Yeon; Woo, Mi Hee; Min, Byung Sun (2015). "Anti-inflammatory activity of phenolic compounds from the whole plant of Scutellaria indica". Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 25 (5): 1129–1134. doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.12.055. PMID 25637363.
- 1 2 3 4 To, Dao Cuong; Nguyen, Phi-Hung; Hoang, Le Minh; Nguyen, Hoa Thi; Hoa, Truong Thi Viet; Nhung, Truong Thi Thuy; Nguyen Nguyen, Phuong Dai; Nhan, Ngu Truong; Pham, Hong Khuyen Thi; Truong, Phu Chi Hieu (2024). "Nitric oxide production inhibitors from Vietnamese Scutellaria indica: An in vitro and in silico study". Journal of Chemical Research. 48 (4) 17475198241272457: 1–8. doi:10.1177/17475198241272457.
- ↑ Pan, Wei-dong; Du, Yi-long; Zhao, Sheng-nan; Li, Yan-rong; Wang, Xiao; Pan, Hai-feng (2015). "HPLC fingerprint and chemical pattern recognition of Scutellaria indica". Chinese Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. 35 (2): 250–254.
- ↑ Kim, Jae Hui; Kwon, Hak Cheol; Lee, Seung Youn (2025). "Seed Dormancy and Germination Characteristics of Scutellaria indica L. var. coccinea S.T.Kim & S.T.Lee., an Endemic Species Found on Jeju Island, South Korea". Horticulturae. 11 (9): 1019. doi:10.3390/horticulturae11091019.