Skullcap Extract

The Basics On Skullcap Extract

What is Skullcap Extract?

Herbal extract from Scutellaria baicalensis that has antioxidant soothing properties.

What are other names for Skullcap Extract?

EXTRACT OF SCUTELLARIA GALERICULATA, EXTRACT OF SKULLCAP, SCUTELLARIA GALERICULATA (SKULLCAP) EXTRACT, SCUTELLARIA GALERICULATA EXTRACT, SCUTELLARIA GALERICULATA, EXT., SKULLCAP (SCUTELLARIA GALERICULATA) EXTRACT, and SKULLCAP EXTRACT

What is Skullcap Extract used for?

How Skullcap Extract is classified

Skin-Soothing, Antioxidants, Plant Extracts

Recommendations for using Skullcap Extract during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Skullcap Extract During Pregnancy

What we know about using Skullcap Extract while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

The teratogenicity of a Scutellaria baicalensis root extract (aqueous extract) was evaluated using groups of 30 pregnant, Sprague-Dawley female rats.18 The test substance was administered by gavage to 3 groups, at doses of 0.25, 12.49, and 24.98 g/kg/day, on gestation days 7 to 17 (11 days). Control rats were administered distilled water. Two-thirds of pregnant females in each group were killed on day 20 of gestation, and their fetuses were examined. The remaining dams were allowed to litter naturally, and postnatal development of the offspring was evaluated. A statistically significant (p < 0.05), dose-dependent increase in the incidence of skeletal variations (presence of lumbar ribs) was observed. A dosedependent increase in the frequency of dilatation of the ureter was also reported. However, the incidence of this abnormality was comparable between the 12.49 and 24.98 g/kg/day dose groups. Dilatation was observed along the entire length of the ureter, not in localized segments. Various minor abnormalities were also observed in the 24.98 g/kg/day dose group, and hydrocephaly was observed in one of the control litters. There were no statistically significant differences in the following between control and treated groups: maternal body weight, intake of diet and water, efficiency of diet, hematologic values, resorbed and dead fetuses, corpora lutea, separation of eyelids, emergence of abdominal hair and incisors, traction test values, sex organ function in fetuses, and the growth of fetuses. The effect of a Scutellaria baicalensis root extract (aqueous extract) on embryonic development was studied using groups of 18 pregnant ICR mice that received oral (gavage) doses of 2 g/kg/day, 8 g/kg/day, or 32 g/kg/day.19 The doses (dose volume = 0.5 mL/30 g bw) were administered from gestation day 6 to 15. The control group (18 pregnant mice) was administered water. The animals were killed on gestation day 18, and the following parameters were evaluated: live and dead fetuses, resorptions, external and skeletal malformed fetuses, maternal body weights, and maternal liver, kidney, and heart weights. When compared to the negative control group, no statistically significant differences in fetal parameters were observed. Maternal absolute liver and kidney weights in the 32 g/kg/day group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. Additionally, increases in relative liver and kidney weight values in this group were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The authors concluded that the oral administration of this extract at or below a dose of 32 g/kg/day during organogenesis did not cause statistically significant fetal external or skeletal malformations. However, dosing with 32 g/kg/day presented potential maternal toxicity. A Scutellaria baicalensis root extract (aqueous extract) was administered by gavage to 20 pregnant rats. 20 The extract, in saline (15 g in 750 mL), was administered slowly (186 mg/kg bw) daily, from day 7 to day 17 of gestation. The authors noted that the administered dose was equivalent to 25 g/kg of Scutellaria baicalensis root (starting material), representing a 100-fold increase over the typical human intake level. The control group (20 pregnant rats) was administered equal volumes of saline. Ten maternal animals in each group were killed on gestation day 20, and the fetuses were delivered by cesarean section. The following were then determined: number of dead fetuses, live fetuses, resorption sites, and corpora lutea; fetal sex; and fetal body weights. Skeletal examinations of fetuses were also performed after the animals were killed on day 20. Skeletons of offspring obtained by natural delivery were evaluated at postnatal day 50 by necropsy. The remaining animals were allowed to naturally deliver their offspring, and all of the weanlings were maintained to postnatal day 50 for the reversibility study. In fetuses obtained by cesarean section on gestational day 20, the incidence of fetal lumbar rib was increased in the treated group (11.54 ± 0.15%) when compared to the vehicle control group. However, in the groups obtained by natural delivery, the fetal lumbar rib incidence of the treated group (0.81 ± 0.01%) was decreased on postnatal day 50 when compared to the fetuses that were delivered by cesarean section on day 20. This means that the lumbar rib had been recovered by postnatal day 50. The weights of fetuses in the treated group tended to be less when compared to those in the control group. Alkaline phosphatase in treated dams was increased on gestation day 20, but was decreased on postnatal day 50. There were no significant differences between the control and treated group with respect to the following: maternal body weight, or embryological, histopathological, hematological, or serum biochemical changes. The authors stated that the results of this study suggest that the appearance of lumbar rib induced by the test material is a transient fetal variation rather than teratogenicity or maternal toxicity.

General safety info about Skullcap Extract from CIR

No report found.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Skullcap Extract

Not listed