Description
Matrine is an alkaloid found in Sophora that exhibits anticancer chemotherapeutic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-fibrotic, and antiepileptic/anticonvulsant activities. Matrine increases levels of Bax and decreases levels of Bcl-2 and VEGF-A in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and hepatoma cells, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell growth. Matrine also inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma tumors in animal models. In animal models of chemical and thermal pain (writhing and tail flick tests), matrine decreases pain response in a κ-opioid receptor (κOR)- and μ-opioid receptor (μOR)-dependent manner. Additionally, matrine downregulates levels of glutamate and upregulates levels of GABA, regulating glutamate signaling and inhibiting inflammation and demyelination in animal models of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) and decreasing seizures in separate animal models. Matrine also inhibits JAK/STAT signaling, decreasing pulmonary fibrosis in vivo.
References
Kan QC, Zhang S, Xu YM, et al. Matrine regulates glutamate-related excitotoxic factors in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Neurosci Lett. 2014 Feb 7;560:92-7. PMID: 24368216.
Xiang J, Jiang Y. Antiepileptic potential of matrine via regulation the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid in the brain. Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Dec 5;14(12):23751-61. PMID: 24317434.
Ma X, Chen R, Liu X, et al. Effects of matrine on JAK-STAT signaling transduction pathways in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013 Apr 12;10(3):442-8. PMID: 24146473.
Zhang Y, Zhang H, Yu P, et al. Effects of matrine against the growth of human lung cancer and hepatoma cells as well as lung cancer cell migration. Cytotechnology. 2009 Apr;59(3):191-200. PMID: 19649719.
Ma L, Wen S, Zhan Y, et al. Anticancer effects of the Chinese medicine matrine on murine hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Planta Med. 2008 Feb;74(3):245-51. PMID: 18283616.
Xiao P, Kubo H, Ohsawa M, et al. kappa-Opioid receptor-mediated antinociceptive effects of stereoisomers and derivatives of (+)-matrine in mice. Planta Med. 1999 Apr;65(3):230-3. PMID: 10232067.
