Matrine,oxymatrine, and compound Kushen injection from the roots of Sophora flavescens: an overview of their anticancer activities

In the present review, we updated current information on the chemistry, contents, and anticancer properties of matrine (MT), oxymatrine (OMT), and compound Kushen injection (CKI). The anticancer properties were focused on lung, breast, and liver cancer cells because they are most susceptible. Sources of information were from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, PubChem, J-Stage, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Reference was also made on botanical websites, such as Flora of China and World Flora Online. MT and OMT are dominant quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens (Kushen) of the family Fabaceae. Against lung, breast, and liver cancer cells, MT and OMT inhibit cell proliferation; induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy; restrict angiogenesis; and inhibit cell metastasis, invasion, and migration. The processes involve various molecular targets and signaling pathways. CKI is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) composed of root extracts of S. flavescens and Smilax glabra (Baituling) of the family Smilacaceae. With MT and OMT as major components, CKI has been approved for the treatment of cancer in China more than 20 years ago. In recent years, systematic reviews and meta-analysis have been undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effects of CKI. When CKI is used alone and in combination with chemotherapy of western medicine, there is much to be learned concerning their interactions besides their individual and integrated efficacy. Some perspectives of MT, OMT, and CKI are discussed, and their suggestions for future research are provided.     

苦参碱对人HT1080细胞系增殖抑制的体外研究

目的：研究苦参碱（Matrine)对人成纤维肉瘤（HT1080）细胞系生长的抑制效应，并探讨其作用机制。方法：用不同浓度的Mat加入体外培养HT1080细胞中，观察加药后细胞生长数量及其形态的变化；用MTT法检测Mat的细胞毒作用。结果：Mat明显抑制HT1080细胞生长；IC50值为350μg/ml；其抑制率与药物浓度呈剂量依赖关系，结论：Mat能有效抑制HT1080细胞的增殖。     

薄层扫描法测定肝愈胶囊中苦参碱含量

目的 :对肝愈胶囊中苦参所含主要化学成分苦参碱含量进行测定。方法 :采用单波长薄层扫描法 ,λ =5 2 0nm ,SX =3。结果 :方法学考察结果表明 ,这种分析方法有较好的重现性和稳定性 ;测定方法的平均回收率为 98.2 9% ,RSD % =1.64%。结论 :方法简便、快速、准确、重现性好。     

龙参颗粒的质量标准研究

目的:为龙参颗粒提供方便可行的质量控制方法。方法:采用薄层色谱法进行定性鉴别;用HPLC法对成品中苦参碱进行含量测定。结果:薄层层析可成功鉴别出当归和黄芪药材;Hypersil NH_2,色谱柱(4.6mm×200mm,5μm);柱温:25℃;流动相:乙腈-0.02mol/L磷酸二氢钠(82:18);流速:1mL/min;检测波长:215nm。加样回样率为97.70％,RSD为1.56％。结论:本实验方法基本可控制龙参颗粒的质量。     

高效液相色谱法测定苦参碱分散片中苦参碱的含量

目的：建立苦参碱分散片中苦参碱的含量测定方法。方法：采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)法，对苦参碱分散片中的有效成分苦参碱进行含量测定。结果：定量方法简便易行，专属性强，重现性好。结论：该法可为苦参碱分散片的质量标准提供依据。     

苦参碱氯化钠注射液有关物质的HPLC测定

目的:建立苦参碱氯化钠注射液的有关物质测定方法.方法:以辛基硅烷键合硅胶为填充剂;乙腈-水(含0.08%磷酸和0.08%三乙胺)(4:96)为流动相;检测波长为220nm.按自身对照法进行测定.结果:苦参碱检测限为2ng,产生的杂质与主成分分离良好.结论:该方法简便、专属性强、结果准确,灵敏度高,可用于苦参碱氯化钠注射液的有关物质检查.     

苦参碱对刀豆蛋白A致小鼠肝损伤的保护作用

目的探讨苦参碱对刀豆蛋白 A(Con A)所致肝损伤的防治作用.方法 48只 NIH小鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、苦参碱 25 mg/kg组、苦参碱 12.5 mg/kg组和联苯双酯治疗组.除正常对照组外,其他组于实验首日静脉注射 Con A 20 mg/kg,苦参碱两个剂量组均采用尾静脉注射给药,联苯双酯组按 150 mg/kg灌胃口服,每天 1次,连续 3 d,末次给药后 4 h,再次静脉注射 Con A 20 mg/kg,8 h后检测血浆 ALT活性及 IFN-γ和 TNF-α含量,观察肝组织病理学变化.结果苦参碱 25 mg/kg组、12.5 mg/kg组小鼠 ALT活性及 IFN-γ和 TNF-α含量均明显低于模型组,有显著性差异(P<0.01);苦参碱两个剂量组肝脏病理改变明显减轻.结论苦参碱对 Con A所致小鼠肝损伤具有较好的防治作用,抑制 T淋巴细胞活化和 IFN-γ、TNF-α的释放可能是其主要的作用机制.     

氧化苦参碱对大鼠肝星状细胞增殖的影响

目的:研究氧化苦参碱对大鼠肝星状细胞增殖的影响,探讨其抗肝纤维化的机理。方法:用链霉蛋白酶和胶原酶原位灌流,Nycodenz密度梯度离心分离大鼠肝星状细胞,并以MTT比色法观察氧化苦参碱对肝星状细胞增殖的效应。结果:氧化苦参碱可影响肝星状细胞的增殖,氧化苦参碱浓度在0.5～16μg/ml时对肝星状细胞增殖有抑制作用(P<0.01)。结论:氧化苦参碱可抑制肝星状细胞增殖,有抗肝纤维化的作用。     

A Study on the Inhibitory Effect of Matrine on Gastric Cancer SGC-7901 Cells

The objective of this paper was to investigate the antitumour mechanism of action of matrine by studying its inhibitory effect on gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells. SGC-7901 cells were chosen, and cell-killing capacity of matrine on gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells was determined using MTT assay and single PI staining assay. The results showed that matrine had an inhibitory effect on gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, which was somewhat dose-dependent. The study concluded that matrine has a significant in-vitro inhibitory effect on SGC-7901 tumour cells, influences cell cycle of SGC-7901 cells, and induces their apoptosis.     

Effects of Matrine on JAK-STAT Signaling Transduction Pathways in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

The current study aims to investigate the effects of matrine on the JAK-STAT signaling transduction pathways in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and to explore its action mechanism. A total of 72 male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into the control, model, and treatment groups. PF models were established by instilling BLM intratracheally. The treatment group was given daily matrine through gastric lavage. Six mice were sacrificed in each group at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. The lung tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of JAK, STAT1, and STAT3 was observed using immunohistochemistry and then determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Alveolitis and PF significantly improved in the treatment group compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The expression of JAK, STAT1, and STAT3 in the model group increased at day 7, peaked at day 14 and then decreased, but the expression was still higher than that in the control group at day 28 (P < 0.05). The three indices in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group at any detection time point (P < 0.05). PF causes high expression of JAK, STAT1, and STAT3. Matrine exerts an anti-PF effect by inhibiting the JAK-STAT signaling transduction pathways.