Matrine (Quinolizidine Alkaloid · Hepatoprotective · Anti-inflammatory)

Compound	Matrine
Chemical class	Alkaloid — Quinolizidine (Tetracyclic Quinolizidine)
CAS	519-02-8
Primary source	Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen / bitter ginseng root)
Key applications	Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiproliferative, hepatoprotective
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Sophora flavescens extract standardised to matrine + oxymatrine
Buy from Herbuno	Request availability and bulk pricing →

Commercial source: Matrine is commercially available as a standardised constituent of Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen) root extract from specialist suppliers. Isolated matrine is available at high purity from specialist chemical suppliers. Contact Herbuno for availability of Sophora alkaloid extract. Traditional use: Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen, “bitter ginseng root”) is a major TCM herb used for over 2,000 years for inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, urticaria), intestinal and urinary tract infections, viral hepatitis, and as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic herb. Matrine and its N-oxide oxymatrine are the primary quinolizidine alkaloids responsible for these activities. Research trajectory: Matrine has a substantial evidence base from Chinese clinical research for hepatitis B treatment support (IV and oral matrine-containing preparations are used clinically in China), anti-inflammatory applications, and antiproliferative mechanisms. It is one of the most extensively researched Chinese botanical alkaloids alongside berberine. See sourcing options below.

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Evidence for Matrine Applications

Antiviral (HBV) and hepatoprotective: Chinese clinical studies of IV and oral matrine/oxymatrine preparations in chronic HBV infection show HBsAg seroconversion rates and ALT reduction improvements. Matrine inhibits HBV DNA replication and reduces hepatic fibrosis via TGF-β pathway inhibition. Clinical evidence is substantial from Chinese trials, though systematic review quality varies. Claim strength: Moderate.

Anti-inflammatory: Matrine inhibits NF-κB, COX-2, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation across macrophage and keratinocyte models. Anti-inflammatory potency is well-characterised across inflammatory skin, liver, and intestinal models. Relevant for inflammatory skin condition formulations consistent with traditional Ku Shen use. Claim strength: Moderate.

Antiproliferative: Matrine induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in multiple cancer cell lines via Bcl-2/Bax pathway modulation and autophagy induction. Substantial preclinical oncology research exists. Chinese clinical studies have explored matrine as an oncology adjuvant. Claim strength: Moderate (preclinical convergent; clinical data emerging from China).

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

Chinese pharmaceutical matrine dosing (IV): 200–400 mg/day for hepatitis applications. Oral matrine in Chinese clinical contexts: 200–600 mg/day. For supplement use, Sophora flavescens extract standardised to total alkaloids (matrine + oxymatrine) at 100–300 mg/day is a working formulation range for anti-inflammatory and liver support applications.

Matrine converts in vivo to its N-oxide oxymatrine (and vice versa), making the ratio of the two alkaloids pharmacologically less critical than their combined dose. Request Sophora extract with combined matrine + oxymatrine content quantified. Isolated matrine is available from specialist suppliers; purity ≥98% HPLC is standard for pharmaceutical-grade material.

Safety note: matrine has dose-dependent toxicity at high concentrations (respiratory depression and cardiac effects in animal toxicity studies at doses far exceeding supplement use levels). At typical oral supplement doses, matrine has a favourable safety record from Chinese clinical use. Avoid high-dose oral matrine without medical supervision; IV preparations are pharmaceutical-grade medical products not supplement-grade.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Matrine

Is matrine used in Western supplement markets?
Matrine has a growing presence in Western supplement markets, primarily in liver health, anti-inflammatory, and skin health formulations targeting formulators familiar with TCM botanical evidence. It is less well-known than berberine in Western markets but has comparable clinical evidence depth from Chinese research. Regulatory status as a dietary supplement ingredient is generally acceptable in the US and EU, though some markets may require Novel Food assessment for concentrated extracts.

Can matrine be used for eczema and inflammatory skin conditions?
Yes — this is one of the most evidence-supported applications, consistent with Ku Shen’s millennia-long topical use. Topical Sophora flavescens extract preparations are used clinically in China for eczema. Matrine’s NF-κB and keratinocyte anti-inflammatory activity provides mechanistic support. Topical matrine in emulsion or gel base at 0.1–0.5% total alkaloids is appropriate for inflammatory skin care formulations.

Is matrine the same as or different from sophocarpine?
Sophocarpine is a tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid co-present in Sophora flavescens alongside matrine, oxymatrine, and sophocarpidine. It has a similar pharmacological class but distinct chemical structure (dehydromatrine). Sophocarpine has been studied for cardiac anti-arrhythmic properties and is considered a secondary Ku Shen active. A complete Sophora alkaloid profile CoA should report matrine, oxymatrine, and sophocarpine content individually.

Is matrine from Sophora flavescens the same as from Sophora japonica?
No. Sophora japonica (Japanese pagoda tree) is primarily a source of rutin, quercetin, and flavonoids — not matrine. Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen, bitter ginseng) is the matrine alkaloid source. These are different Sophora species with entirely different primary phytochemical profiles. When sourcing matrine, specify Sophora flavescens as the botanical source and verify alkaloid content by HPLC.

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Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

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