What is it?
What Baicalin is
1Baicalin is baicalein 7-O-glucuronide, a flavone glucuronide associated with Scutellaria baicalensis roots. It is related to baicalein, but glycosylated baicalin, aglycone baicalein, and whole Chinese skullcap extracts are not interchangeable evidence categories.
Names, aliases and forms
Mechanisms of action
Mechanisms are plausible, not outcome proof
2Mechanistic work points toward GABA-related calming, inflammatory signaling, oxidative-stress defenses, excitotoxicity, apoptosis, and neurotrophic pathways. These mechanisms can explain why baicalin is researched, but they cannot establish a supplement-level cognitive benefit.
Potential effects and evidence map
Baicalin has well-established chemical identity and a substantial preclinical literature in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neurogenesis, and experimental cognition models. The reviewed human evidence is pharmacokinetic: specific studies assessed cyclosporine, rosuvastatin, and CYP2B6-related interaction context. It does not establish a healthy-user cognitive benefit, consumer amount, combination, or long-term safety margin.
May have weak calming relevance based on Scutellaria tradition and preclinical GABA-related mechanisms, but human baicalin anxiety or sleep outcomes are not established.
Preclinical models suggest neuroprotection-related pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, excitotoxicity, apoptosis, and neurogenesis, but this remains nonclinical evidence.
Animal and cell models include experimental cognition endpoints, but reliable human memory or learning trials for isolated baicalin were not found.
Typical dosages and timing
Current indexed listings include 250 mg Baicalin capsules and powders described around 85-95% purity. That is product-label context, not a validated nootropic dosage. Verify whether a listing is baicalin, baicalein, or a whole Scutellaria extract before comparing price or dose.
Human pharmacokinetic studies used designs such as 50 mg baicalin three times daily for 14 days with rosuvastatin, or a single 500 mg baicalin dose with cyclosporine. Those doses answer drug-interaction questions, not focus or memory dosing.
Timing & effect horizon
Reliable onset, subjective duration, half life, tolerance, and cycling data were not found for isolated baicalin supplement use. Avoid converting interaction-study sampling windows or animal protocols into user guidance.
Safety, side effects and risk profile
Rare liver-injury reports involve skullcap and Chinese skullcap products, often formulas, adulteration, or uncertain product identity; they do not establish isolated-baicalin causality.
Human pharmacokinetic studies and MSKCC guidance raise statin, CYP2B6, CYP450, SLC transporter, and blood thinner interaction concerns.
Scutellaria products are used for calming/sleep, so additive sedation is plausible even though isolated-baicalin human impairment data are limited.
Avoid during pregnancy or lactation unless a qualified clinician specifically approves use.
Most nootropic claims rely on preclinical models, while product labels may blur baicalin, baicalein, and whole Scutellaria extract.
LiverTox links skullcap and Chinese skullcap products to rare clinically apparent liver injury. Many reports involve formulas, multiple botanicals, or product-identity uncertainty, but liver disease, abnormal enzymes, heavy alcohol use, and hepatotoxic medications should make baicalin a medical-review item.
Interactions and cautions
Check baicalin with blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, statins, CYP2B6 substrates, other CYP450 substrate drugs, SLC or OATP transporter substrate drugs, transplant medicines, sedatives, alcohol, and multi-herb formulas. Clinical relevance varies by drug, genotype, dose, and duration.
The cyclosporine study is reassuring only for one 500 mg baicalin coadministration design in 16 healthy volunteers. It should not be broadened into a no-interaction claim for transplant recipients, chronic baicalin use, or other immunosuppressants.
Legal and regulatory status
United States, as of 2026: this evidence page does not determine whether a specific baicalin, baicalein, or skullcap product and its claims comply with law. Product and claim requirements can differ in other jurisdictions.
Practical buying and quality notes
- A product page or marketplace title can mix baicalin, baicalein, Baikal skullcap, and Scutellaria extract language. Compare by stated active compound, assay percentage, batch testing, plant part, excipients, contaminants, and whether the listed mg amount refers to active baicalin or crude extract.1
- For 85-95% baicalin powder or capsule listings, prefer products with current lot-specific HPLC or equivalent assay, heavy-metal and microbial testing, and clear labeling that distinguishes isolated baicalin from baicalein and whole-root extract.8
FAQ
What is Baicalin?
1Baicalin is a flavone glucuronide, also called baicalein 7-O-glucuronide. It is found in Scutellaria baicalensis root and is chemically related to baicalein.
Is Baicalin the same as Baicalein?
1No. Baicalin is the glucuronide form, while baicalein is the aglycone. They are related and metabolically connected, but product labels and evidence should be compared as separate forms unless a study specifically bridges them.
What is the Baicalin dosage?
8The practical listing context is 250 mg per dose for current indexed capsules, with powders often labeled by assay percentage. A validated nootropic dosage was not found, and human clinical doses are mainly from interaction studies.
Does Baicalin improve memory or focus?
2Human memory or focus evidence for isolated baicalin is not reliable. Preclinical models are interesting, but they should be described as research context rather than a user-facing performance claim.
Who should avoid Baicalin?
6Avoid or get medical review with liver disease, abnormal liver tests, pregnancy, lactation, blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, statins, transplant medicines, CYP or transporter substrate drugs, sedatives, heavy alcohol use, or complex medication plans.
References
- PubChem. Baicalin (CID 64982). Accessed 2026-07-01.
- Gaire BP, Moon SK, Kim H. Neuroprotective and cognitive enhancement potentials of baicalin: a review. Brain Sci. 2018;8(6):104.
- Fan L, et al. A single dose of baicalin has no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine A in healthy Chinese volunteers. Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:518.
- Fan L, et al. The effect of herbal medicine baicalin on pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin, substrate of organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2008;83(3):471-476.
- Xin HW, et al. Induction of cytochrome P450 2B6 activity by the herbal medicine baicalin as measured by bupropion hydroxylation. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2009;65(4):403-409.
- LiverTox. Skullcap. NCBI Bookshelf. Last updated 2020-03-28. Accessed 2026-07-01.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Scutellaria baicalensis. Accessed 2026-07-01.
- NootropicsIndex indexed listings. Baicalin 250 mg capsules and 85-95% powder listings. Accessed 2026-07-01.