Sun Peng, Zhao Wenjie, Wang Qi, Chen Lele, Sun Kunkun, Zhan Zhaoshuang, Wang Jiafeng
College of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan,250355, China.
College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
Phytomedicine. 2022 Jun;100:154054. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154054. Epub 2022 Mar 17.
Sophora flavescens Aiton (SF), also known as Kushen (Chinese:), has been an important species in Chinese medicine since the Qin and Han dynasties. It is also recognized as a plant resource suitable for the globalization of Chinese medicine. Traditionally, it has been used in various ethnic medical systems in East Asia, especially in China, to kill insects and dispel dampness. Sophora flavescens is commonly used for clearing heat-clearing, killing worms, and diuretic. Nowdays, accumulating studies demonstrated its anticancer and cardioprotection.
This paper aims to systematically review information on the genus, pharmacological and toxicological significance, chemical composition and biological activity of Sophora flavescens. To promoting its development and application. To summarize recent findings regarding to the metabolism, pharmacological/toxicological effects of Sophora flavescens.
Online academic databases (including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and CNKI) were searched using search terms of "Sophora flavescens Aiton", "Ku shen", "Pharmacology", "Active ingredient", "Toxicology" and combinations to include published studies of Sophora flavescens Aiton primarily from 1970-2021. Several critical previous studies beyond this period were also included and other related terms.
Sophora flavescens has a broad spectrum of biological activities associated with Sophora flavescens has been considered a valuable resource in both traditional and modern medicine. However, there is a lack of in-depth studies on the medicinal uses of Sophora flavescens. Moreover, further studies on single chemical components should be conducted based on the diversity of chemical structures, significant biological activities and clinical applications. The discovery of its bioactive molecules and multi-component interactions would be of great importance for the clinical application of Sophora flavescens spp. Detailed pharmacological and toxicological studies on the classic prescriptions of Sophora flavescens are also needed. It is more beneficial to the wide application of SF plant and facilitates the worldwide promotion of modern Chinese medicine. However, an increasing number of reports indicate that the administration of Sophora flavescens has serious adverse effects. Its main toxic effects are neurotoxicity and acute toxicity, which have caused widespread concern worldwide. In addition, the alkaloids of Sophora flavescens are distributed in the heart, liver, stomach and large intestine. They are excreted from the body through gluconeogenesis, which is the mode of action of certain therapeutic mechanisms of action such as anticancer. The detailed metabolic study of alkaloids and other components of Sophora flavescens in vivo needs to be further investigated. It is important to improve the pharmacological effects and reduce the toxicity of Sophora flavescens. For this purpose, structural modification of active components of Sophora flavescens or combination with other drugs is very essential.
苦参自秦汉时期起就是中药中的重要品种。它也被认为是一种适合中药全球化的植物资源。传统上，它在东亚尤其是中国的各种民族医学体系中被用于杀虫和祛湿。苦参常用于清热、杀虫和利尿。如今，越来越多的研究表明其具有抗癌和心脏保护作用。
本文旨在系统综述苦参属植物的信息、药理毒理学意义、化学成分和生物活性。以促进其开发和应用。总结苦参新陈代谢、药理/毒理学效应的最新研究结果。
使用“苦参”“苦楝”“药理学”“活性成分”“毒理学”等检索词及其组合，在在线学术数据库（包括PubMed、谷歌学术、科学网和中国知网）中进行检索，以纳入主要发表于1970 - 2021年的苦参相关研究。还纳入了该时期之前的一些关键研究以及其他相关术语。
苦参具有广泛的生物活性，在传统医学和现代医学中都被视为一种宝贵资源。然而，对苦参药用用途的深入研究仍很缺乏。此外，鉴于其化学结构的多样性、显著的生物活性和临床应用，应进一步对单一化学成分进行研究。其生物活性分子及多成分相互作用的发现对苦参的临床应用至关重要。还需要对苦参经典方剂进行详细的药理毒理学研究。这对苦参植物的广泛应用更有益，并有助于现代中药在全球的推广。然而，越来越多的报告表明苦参的使用存在严重不良反应。其主要毒性作用是神经毒性和急性毒性，已引起全球广泛关注。此外，苦参生物碱分布于心脏、肝脏、胃和大肠。它们通过糖异生从体内排出，这是其某些治疗作用机制如抗癌的作用方式。苦参生物碱及其他成分在体内的详细代谢研究有待进一步探究。提高苦参的药理作用并降低其毒性很重要。为此，对苦参活性成分进行结构修饰或与其他药物联合非常必要。
