Matrine is an alkaloid found in plants from the genus Sophora. It has a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-cancer effects,[1] as well as κ-opioid and μ-opioid receptor agonism.[2][3]
Matrine possesses strong antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis are the likely mechanisms responsible for matrine's antitumor activities.[4] Matrine is a component of the traditional Chinese medical herb Sophora flavescens Ait.
Mu opioid agonism is associated with euphoria, while kappa opioid agonism is associated with dysphoria and psychotomimetic hallucinations (as seen in the kappa-agonist Salvinorin A). Both receptors are known to produce analgesia when activated.
Matrine alleviates neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain caused by acute liver injury, thus producing antianxiety and antidepression effects.[8]
^Ma L, Wen S, Zhan Y, He Y, Liu X, Jiang J (February 2008). "Anticancer effects of the Chinese medicine matrine on murine hepatocellular carcinoma cells". Planta Medica. 74 (3): 245–251. doi:10.1055/s-2008-1034304. PMID18283616. S2CID260282269.
^Mao L, Henderson G (June 2007). "Antifeedant activity and acute and residual toxicity of alkaloids from Sophora flavescens (leguminosae) against formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)". Journal of Economic Entomology. 100 (3): 866–870. doi:10.1093/jee/100.3.866. PMID17598549.
^Matsuda K, Yamada K, Kimura M, Hamada M (1991). "Nematicidal activity of matrine and its derivatives against pine wood nematodes". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 39 (1): 189–191. doi:10.1021/jf00001a038.
^Khan A, Shal B, Naveed M, Shah FA, Atiq A, Khan NU, et al. (May 2019). "Matrine ameliorates anxiety and depression-like behaviour by targeting hyperammonemia-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in CCl4 model of liver injury". Neurotoxicology. 72: 38–50. doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2019.02.002. PMID30738807. S2CID73445828.