Sophora flavescens is a species of evergreen shrub ranging throughout the temperate regions of Asia. It thrives in sunny areas with well-drained, sandy soils. Being a member of the legume family (Fabaceae), it should not be a surprise that it teams up with bacteria to convert nitrogen from the environment into a biologically usable form. This plant has a slow rate of growth, with adult species reaching about 1.5 meters in height. It keeps its leaves all year, and blooms yellow flowers during July and August. The flowers are pollinated by insects and yield seed pods in September.
Referred to as:
- Ku Shen -”bitter root” (Chinese)
- Go Sam (Korean)
- Kujin (Japanese)
Traditional Use
The roots and bark of S. flavescens are harvested in Autumn and dried prior to use in topical and internal preparations. Asian traditional medicine systems consider roots of this species to possess the following properties:
- Antibacterial
- Antihelmintic
- Astringent
- Diuretic
- Tonic
In traditional Chinese medicine this herb is specifically directed towards addressing situations of “damp heat” and “wind qi-stagnation.”
Modern Research
The roots, stalks, leaves, and flowers of this plant possesses alkaloids, flavonoids, and proteins exhibiting powerful biological activity. These constituents appear to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, fight cancer, and inhibit bacterial infection. They may also have antioxidant and antiandrogenic effects.
Inflammation
Alkaloids and flavanoids from S. flavescens tend to inhibit inflammation by modulating the immune system in several ways. They exhibit white blood cell (WBC) cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibiting activities which reduce the conversion of fatty acids into inflammatory cellular messengers. They also induce a shift in lymphocytes to secrete more supportive cytokines. Finally, they inhibit the ability of immune cells like monocytes to attach and traverse the endothelial linings of blood vessels.
Anticancer Properties
Several compounds from S. flavescens have exhibited anti tumor properties in vitro and in vivo. Besides alkaloids and flavanoids, this plant also has special proteins called lectins which bind to sugars on cell surfaces inducing biological changes. These molecules inhibit the growth of tumors and induce cancer cells to kill themselves (apoptosis).
Antiandrogenic Activitity
Topical application of S. flavescens root extract has been used to induce hair follicle growth factors, modify the hair cell growth cycle, and inhibit an enzyme (type II 5-alpha reductase) that produces a powerful form of testosterone implicated in male-pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Some constituents of S. flavescens include:
- Kurarinone
- Matrine / Oxymatrine
- Sophoranol
- Sophocarpine
- Anagyrine
- Isomatrine
- Baptifoline
Toxicity
This herb is thought to contain significant levels of a compound called cytosine which is a close relative to nicotine. It is thought that large amounts of crude root material may induce neurological effects, especially in small children. That being mentioned, S. flavescens has been frequently used various Asian formulas for several centuries with few reports of adverse reactions.
Helpful Resources
Jian Ya Ling. Supercritical fluid extraction of quinolizidine alkaloids from Sophora flavescens Ait. and purification by high-speed counter-currentchromatography. Journal of Chromatography A, 1145 (2007) 123–127
Ping Zheng, Feng-Li Niu, Wen-Zhong Liu, Yao Shi, Lun-Gen Lu. Anti-inflammatory mechanism of oxymatrine in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis of rats. World J Gastroenterol 2005;11(31):4912-4915
Terada, M.; Sano, M.; Ishii, A.I. et al. - Studies on chemotherapy of parasitic helminths. (IV). Effects of alkaloids from Sophora flavescens on the motility of parasitic helminths and isolated host tissues. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi, 79: 105-111, 1982.
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