Mechanistic understanding of the protective effects of baicalein against the inflammatory response induced by Toxoplasma gondii in Ana-1 macrophages

Baicalein is an active flavonoid compound derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, a member of the Lamiaceae family, and has been widely reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of baicalein in Toxoplasma gondii infection-induced inflammation remain unclear. This study aims to systematically investigate the regulatory effects of baicalein on inflammation associated with T. gondii infection and its molecular mechanisms. The results indicate that baicalein significantly inhibits T. gondii proliferation, the production of inflammatory mediators and reduces the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Further experiments revealed that baicalein effectively blocks the excessive activation of the cGAS-STING and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways in T. gondii-stimulated Ana-1 cells, thereby inhibiting the amplification of inflammatory signals. Additionally, baicalein enhances the expression of autophagy-related proteins, promoting autophagy and alleviating oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and inflammation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that baicalein exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by activating autophagy and inhibiting the excessive activation of cGAS-STING and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways, effectively suppressing T. gondii infection-induced macrophage inflammation. These findings provide new theoretical insights into the potential therapeutic application of baicalein in infectious diseases.