{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,27]],"date-time":"2026-06-27T04:48:12Z","timestamp":1782535692751,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,22]],"date-time":"2026-06-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782086400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100020215","name":"Vietnam\u2013Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","award":["5228\/QD-TTNDVN"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["5228\/QD-TTNDVN"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100020215","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Life"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a pathology associated with viral infections, toxic damage, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. Damage to the olfactory epithelium impairs olfactory function and related neurological behaviors. This study evaluated the restorative effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) extract and baicalein in a methimazole-induced olfactory dysfunction model. Methods: Olfactory epithelial damage was induced in mice with methimazole, followed by treatment with SBG extract or baicalein. Olfactory and neurobehavioral functions were assessed using odor-finding, novel object recognition (NOR), Morris water maze (MWM), open field (OFT), and elevated plus maze tests (EPM). Histological, immunohistochemical, and in vitro analyses were performed to evaluate epithelial regeneration, mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing olfactory marker protein (OMP), and proliferative activity. Results: Methimazole induced severe olfactory epithelial damage, impairing olfactory behavior and reducing learning and memory. Treatment with SBG extract and baicalein significantly improved olfactory and cognitive functions. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed restoration of epithelial structure and olfactory neurons. In vitro, SBG extract increased epithelial cell density and modulated proliferative activity. Conclusions: SBG extract and baicalein promote recovery of olfactory function and improve neurobehavioral outcomes, indicating their potential as therapies for olfactory dysfunction.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/life16061037","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,22]],"date-time":"2026-06-22T09:49:55Z","timestamp":1782121795000},"page":"1037","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Therapeutic Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Extract and Baicalein on Olfactory Dysfunction and Neurobehavioral Alterations in a Methimazole-Induced Injury Model"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4700-5031","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Manh Nguyen","family":"Dao","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center, Ha Noi 11307, Vietnam"},{"name":"Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, National Institute of Medicinal Materials, Ha Noi 11018, Vietnam"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2867-5187","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hang Thi Nguyet","family":"Pham","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, National Institute of Medicinal Materials, Ha Noi 11018, Vietnam"},{"name":"Phenikaa School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Phenikaa University, Ha Noi 12114, Vietnam"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nam Duy","family":"Pham","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center, Ha Noi 11307, Vietnam"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cuong Viet","family":"Vo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center, Ha Noi 11307, Vietnam"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1177\/1945892420946254","article-title":"The Prevalence of Olfactory Dysfunction in the General Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis","volume":"35","author":"Desiato","year":"2021","journal-title":"Am. 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