Unraveling Phytopharmacological Insights into Scutellaria barbata (Ban Zhi Lian) for Anticancer Therapy: Bridging Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Pharmacology

Abstract

Scutellaria barbata (Ban Zhi Lian) is a traditional Chinese herb commonly used for detoxification and heat-clearing. According to recent pharmacological research, it has anticancer potential. Bioactive molecules, flavonoids, diterpenoids, and polysaccharides, have been shown to control key molecular signalling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, and TGF-β/Smad, to manage tumour growth, survival, and metastasis. The review combines ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and preclinical and clinical data on the anticancer activity of Scutellaria barbata. A literature search identified 246 studies, out of which 40 articles qualified as per the PRISMA guidelines. Systems biology and network pharmacology methods were also applied to determine the multitarget effects of the traditional Chinese medicine concepts and the current pharmacology. Phytochemicals of Scutellaria barbata induce apoptosis by regulating Bax/Bcl-2 and activating caspase, preventing angiogenesis, and decreasing multidrug resistance by inhibiting the ABCG2 transporter. In vitro research exhibits tumour-suppressive activity in lung, liver, and colorectal cancer. There is limited clinical evidence of possible synergistic efficacy when used together with conventional chemotherapy. Considering these findings, Scutellaria barbata has the potential to be used in integrative oncology by integrating traditional Chinese medicine principles with modern pharmacological knowledge, though clinical support is not yet strong. Scutellaria barbata is a botanical herb used in cancer therapy, but well-designed clinical trials are needed to verify its therapeutic efficacy and safety.