Multi-target intervention mechanisms and prospects of the traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria baicalensis georgi in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent central nervous system disorders affecting middle-aged and elderly populations. As a neurodegenerative disease, its primary clinical manifestations include memory impairment, cognitive dysfunction, and behavioral abnormalities. However, there are limited clinically available treatments for AD. Existing medications neither cure the disease nor halt its progression, and are often associated with significant side effects. <i>Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi</i>, with its long history of medicinal use, shows potential for treating central nervous system disorders. Modern pharmacological research has revealed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Its active metabolites, such as baicalin and baicalein, exert multi-target effects by simultaneously influencing Aβ production and aggregation, tau phosphorylation, and microglial activation, while also regulating brain-gut axis function. This systematic review examines the mechanisms of action of baicalin and baicalein, the active metabolites of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi</i>, in treating Alzheimer's disease, offering novel insights and research directions for modern medical approaches to Alzheimer's disease treatment.