According to these studies and quotes, could we gather that skullcap is an effective 5-hT 7 ANTAGONIST?
Thoughts please....
J Nat Prod. 2003 Apr;66(4):535-7.
Inhibition of [3H]-LSD binding to 5-HT7 receptors by flavonoids from Scutellaria lateriflora.AbstractThe hot water and 70% ethanol extracts of dried mad-dog skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) both bound to the 5-HT(7) receptor, with 87.2 +/- 6.2% and 56.7 +/- 1.3% inhibition of [(3)H]-LSD binding to the receptor at 100 microg/mL, respectively. The on-line analysis of a 70% ethanol extract by HPLC-UV/MS resulted in the identification of five flavones (1-5). Fractionation of the ethanol extract resulted in the isolation of three flavone-glucuronides (6-8) and a flavanone-glucuronide (9), including one new compound, lateriflorin (5,6,-dihydroxy-7-glucuronyloxy-2'-methoxyflavone) (8). The structure of 8 was determined by NMR ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and NOESY experiments) and MS analysis. From the results obtained in the testing of the pure compounds, it is evident that the activity on the 5-HT(7) receptor is at least partly due to the presence of flavonoids. Scutellarin and ikonnikoside I showed the highest inhibition of [(3)H]-LSD binding with IC(50) values of 63.4 and 135.1 microM, respectively.
PMID: 12713409 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The applicable parts of skullcap are the above ground parts. The principle flavonoids of skullcap are baicalin and wogonin (12104, 12216). Other flavonoids found in skullcap include scutellarin, methoxyflavone, and catalpol. Skullcap also contains lignins, resins, tannins, and volatile oils (12104).
It is thought that the flavonoid constituents of skullcap might act as GABA agonists and therefore have a sedating and anxiolytic effect (12216).
Constituents of skullcap seem to bind the serotonin receptor 5-HT7. But it's not known if these constituents have agonist or antagonist properties on the receptor(12104). Skullcap's effects on the serotonin receptor may be involved in potential sedative properties.
http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/9075/1/Brock_et_al_2010_final_author.pdf
http://wenku.baidu.c...9eef8c75ebfb304
http://www.mdidea.co...roper04706.html