Sophora Alopecuroides Research Articles

Functional Trait Responses of Sophora alopecuroides L. Seedlings to Diverse Environmental Stresses in the Desert Steppe of Ningxia, China.

The seedling stage of plants is a crucial and vulnerable period in population and community dynamics. Despite this, studies on how plant traits respond to different environmental stresses often tend to overlook this early stage. Our study focused on Sophora alopecuroides L. seedlings in Ningxia Yanchi desert steppe, analyzing the effects of sand burial, salinity, and drought on their key aboveground and belowground traits. The results showed that sand burial significantly negatively affected stem biomass (SB), leaf biomass (LB), stem diameter (SD), leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf area (LA), and total root volume (RV), but positively influenced total root length (RL). As sand burial depth increased, SB, LB, SD, LL, LW, LA, RV, root biomass (RB), RV, and lateral root numbers (LRN) significantly decreased. Salinity stress negatively affected SB, LB, SD, LL, LW, LA, RB, RL, and RV, with these traits declining as the stress concentration increased. Drought stress had a positive effect on SD and LL, with both traits showing an increase as the intensity of the drought stress intensified; however, it adversely affected RL. In Ningxia Yanchi desert steppe, salinity stress had the most significant effect on the traits of S. alopecuroides seedlings, followed by sand burial, with drought having the least significant effect. This study provides essential theoretical support for understanding how S. alopecuroides seedlings cope with environmental stresses in their early life stages.

Undescribed matrine-type alkaloids from Sophora alopecuroides with anti-inflammatory activity

A phytochemical investigation on the alkaloid fractions of Sophora alopecuroides L. led to the production of 11 undescribed matrine-type alkaloids, sophaloseedlines I–S (1−11), 12 known analogs (12−23), and an unexpected artificial matrine-derived Al(III) complex (24). The corresponding structures were elucidated by the interpretation of spectroscopic analyses, quantum chemical calculation, and six instances (1−4, 18, and 24), verified by X-ray crystallography. The biological activities screening demonstrated that none of the isolates exhibited cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (HepG2, A549, THP-1, and MCF-7) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at 50 μM, while moderate anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value from 15.6 to 47.8 μM was observed. The key structure-activity relationships of those matrine-type alkaloids for anti-inflammatory effects have been summarized. In addition, the most potent 7-epi-sophoramine (19) and aluminum sophaloseedline T (24) could effectively inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), as well as the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins.

Total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides alleviate atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage pyroptosis induced by reactive oxygen species-NLRP3 signaling axis

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are common diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides (TASA) in atherosclerosis and exploring the underlying mechanism. Mice were given normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), and TASA plus ND or HFD. The mice were further administered with NLRP3 shRNA and shControl. After treatment, Hematoxylin and Eosin and Oil Red O staining assessed histological changes. CD31/caspase-1 double staining was detected by fluorescent staining and pyroptosis expression assessed by CD31/TUNEL double staining. Western blot results determined caspase-1 expression in HFD mice. TASA treatment suppressed plaque formation in HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice but insignificantly altered the lesion area in ND-fed ApoE-/- mice. Caspase-1 content and TUNEL positive cells were significantly elevated in mice fed with HFD or ND, whilst advent of TASA further enhanced the activation of caspase-1 in HFD mice. TASA treatment reduced activity of ROS, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome and regulated macrophage pyroptosis. Inhibition of NLRP3 decreased the lesion area of atherosclerosis and lipid deposition. TASA inhibited the expression of ROS to reduce macrophages necrosis and secretion of inflammatory mediators, thereby alleviating inflammation, delaying plaque formation and stabilizing plaques in atherosclerosis.

Aloperine protects pulmonary hypertension via triggering PPARγ signaling and inhibiting calcium regulatory pathway in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.

Previous studies have reported the beneficial role of Aloperine (ALO), an active vasodilator purified from the seeds and leaves of the herbal plant Sophora alopecuroides L., on experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH); however, detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, monocrotaline-induced PH (MCT-PH) rat model and primarily cultured rat distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were used to investigate the mechanisms of ALO on experimental PH, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and excessive proliferation of PASMCs. Results showed that first, ALO significantly prevented the disease development of MCT-PH by inhibiting right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and right ventricular hypertrophy indexed by the Fulton Index, normalizing the pulmonary arterials (PAs) remodeling and improving the right ventricular function indexed by transthoracic echocardiography. ALO inhibited the excessive proliferation of both PAs and PASMCs. Then, isometric tension measurements showed vasodilation of ALO on precontracted PAs isolated from both control and MCT-PH rats via activating the KCNQ channel, which was blocked by specific KCNQ potassium channel inhibitor linopirdine. Moreover, by using immunofluorescence staining and nuclear/cytosol fractionation, we further observed that ALO significantly enhanced the PPARγ nuclear translocation and activation in PASMCs. Transcriptome analyses also revealed activated PPARγ signaling and suppressed calcium regulatory pathway in lungs from MCT-PH rats treated with ALO. In summary, ALO could attenuate MCT-PH through both transient vasodilation of PAs and chronic activation of PPARγ signaling pathway, which exerted antiproliferative roles on PASMCs and remodeled PAs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Aloperine attenuates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (MCT-PH) in rats by inhibiting the pulmonary vascular remodeling and proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). In mechanism, Aloperine not only exerts a transient KCNQ-dependent vasodilation in precontracted pulmonary arteries (PAs) from both control and MCT-PH rats but also activates PPARγ nuclear translocation and signaling transduction in PASMCs, which chronically inhibits the calcium regulatory pathway and proliferation of PASMCs.

Effects of adding Sophora alopecuroides to high concentrate diet on rumen fermentation parameters and microbial diversity of sheep.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of Sophora alopecuroides (SA) on the rumen fermentation and microbial diversity of sheep. A total of 32 healthy Dumont crossbred male lambs weighing 25.73 ± 2.17 kg were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups with 8 replicates each: a control group (CG) fed a basal diet with a concentrate-to-forage ratio of 7:3 and three experimental groups - the 0.1% group(TG1), 0.3% group (TG2), and 0.5% group (TG3), which were fed the same basal diet but supplemented with increasing doses of SA. (1) Increasing the SA dose led to a significant linear increase (p-< 0.05) in acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations in the rumen, as well as a significant quadratic effect (p-< 0.05) on the propionate concentration. In contrast, there was a significant linear decrease (p-< 0.05) in the NH3-N concentration in the rumen. (2) At the level of rumen bacterial phyla, the abundance of Bacteroidetes in the rumen increased, and that of Firmicutes decreased (p = 0.08). At the genus level, the rumen abundances of Ruminococcus and Phocaeicola of sheep in the three experimental groups were significantly higher than in the control group (p-< 0.05), and the abundances of Clostridiales and Candidatus-Hepatincola were significantly increased in the 0.1% and 0.3% groups (p < 0.05). (3) Regarding rumen anaerobic fungi, the differences between the control group and experimental groups at the phylum level and genus level were not significant (p > 0.05), but the relative abundances of Neocallimastigomycota and Piromyces in the 0.1% group were significantly higher than that in the control group. SA addition to a high grain diet could increase the VFA concentration and pH in the sheep rumen, reduce the NH3-N concentration in the rumen and improve rumen fermentation function. Although there was no significant change in rumen bacterial or fungal diversity, SA addition increased the rumen abundances of Bacteroidetes, Ruminococcus, Phocaeicola, Clostridiales, Neocallimastigomycota and Piromyces, decreased the rumen abundance of Firmicutes, and had a positive effect on the rumen microbiota to improve sheep health.

Sand Burial, Rather than Salinity or Drought, Is the Main Stress That Limits the Germination Ability of Sophora alopecuroides L. Seed in the Desert Steppe of Yanchi, Ningxia, China.

Global change and environmental pollution have reawakened ecologists to the great threat of multi-stress interactions to different growth stages of plants. Sophora alopecuroides L., a dune plant, has been widely studied for its medicinal components and strong salinity tolerance. S. alopecuroides seeds, obtained from the desert steppe of Yanchi, Ningxia, China, were used to analyze the effects of sand burial, salinity, drought, and their interactions on seed germination (germination percentage, germination energy, and germination index). The results showed that sand burial and salinity stress had significant effects on the seed germination ability of S. alopecuroides, and drought stress had no significant effect, but the interaction of the three stresses had a significant effect. Under different drought-stress treatments, the interaction of no sand burial and a certain degree of salinity stress significantly improved the germination ability of S. alopecuroides, and the overall intensity of the effects of the three stresses showed that sand burial > salinity > drought. Considering the germination percentage, germination energy, and germination index of S. alopecuroides under various stress interactions, the treatment of no sand burial × 1% soil saline-alkali content × 18-20% soil water content was adopted to maximize the germination ability of S. alopecuroides. In the desert steppe area of Yanchi, Ningxia, sand burial stress was still the most limiting factor for seed germination of S. alopecuroides, and soil saline-alkali content should be increased moderately, and soil moisture should be ensured to obtain the best germination ability.

Research progress of sophoridine's pharmacological activities and its molecular mechanism: an updated review.

Background: Sophoridine, the major active constituent of Sophora alopecuroides and its roots, is a bioactive alkaloid with a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic, cardioprotective, and immunoprotective activities. Sophora flavescens Aiton is a traditional Chinese medicine that is bitter and cold. Additionally, it also exhibits the effects of clearing heat, eliminating dampness, and expelling insects. Aims of the study: To summarize the pharmacological research and associated mechanisms of sophoridine, we compiled this review by combining a huge body of relevant literature. Materials and methods: The information related to this article was systematically collected from the scientific literature databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, published books, PhD and MS dissertations. Results: Its antitumor activity is particularly remarkable, as it can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis while inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Additionally, sophoridine also holds therapeutic potential for myocardial ischemia, osteoporosis, arrhythmias, and neurological disorders, primarily through the suppression of related inflammatory factors and cell apoptosis. However, sophoridine has also exhibited adverse effects such as hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity. The antidisease effect and mechanism of sophoridine are diverse, so it has high research value. Conclusion: As an important traditional Chinese medicine alkaloid, modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that sophoridine has prominent bioactivities, especially on anti-tumor anti-inflammation activities, and cardiovascular system protection. These activities provide prospects for novel drug development for cancer and some chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the understanding of the multitarget network pharmacology, long-term in vivo toxicity, and clinical efficacy of sophoridine require further detailed research.

The total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides L. improve depression-like behavior in mice via BDNF-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDepression has become a global public health problem and the development of new highly effective, low-toxicity antidepressants is imminent. Sophora alopecuroides L. is a common medicinal plant, which has therapeutic effect on central nervous system diseases. Aim of the studyIn this study, the antidepressant effect of total alkaloids (ALK) isolated from Sophora alopecuroides L. was explored and the mechanism was further elucidated. Materials and methodsA primary neuronal injury model was established in vitro by corticosterone. ICR mice were then selected to construct an in vivo model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression, and the ameliorative effects of ALK on depression were examined by various behavioral tests. The antidepressant molecular mechanism of ALK was subsequently revealed by ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and Golgi staining. ResultsBDNF secretion as well as TrkB and ERK phosphorylated protein levels were found to be improved in primary cortical neurons, along with improved dendritic complexity of neurons. The results of in vivo showed that the depression-like behavior of CUMS-induced mice was reversed after 2 weeks of continuous gavage administration of ALK, and the neurotransmitter levels in the plasma of mice were increased. Moreover, the expression levels of key proteins of BDNF-AKT-mTOR pathway and the complexity of neuronal dendrites were improved in the prefrontal cortex of mice. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that ALK of Sophora alopecuroides L. can effectively improve the depressive phenotype of mice, possibly by promoting the expression of BDNF in prefrontal cortex, activating the downstream AKT/mTOR signal pathway, and ultimately enhancing neuronal dendritic complexity.

The plant-derived alkaloid aloperine prevents ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced sudden cardiac death.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major cause of global mortality. In addition to modern interventions, botanical folk medicines have long been used to treat cardiovascular disease, although the efficacy and underlying mechanisms are often unresolved. Aloperine, a bioactive quinolizidine alkaloid isolated from Sophora alopecuroides plants, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and vasorelaxant properties, but possible antiarrhythmic effects of aloperine in SCD are unclear. Here, we examined whether aloperine protects against ischemia and reperfusion injury-associated lethal ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Rats were divided into sham, control, and aloperine groups, and reperfusion-provoked ventricular arrhythmogenesis, cardiac damage markers, and signaling pathways quantified following left main coronary artery ischemia and reperfusion. In vitro studies of effects of aloperine on hERG and Kv4.3 cardiac voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels were performed using two-electrode voltage clamp analysis of cloned channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Aloperine pretreatment (10 mg/kg) did not affect baseline cardiac electrical stability; yet, it reduced ventricular arrhythmogenesis and susceptibility to SCD (mortality rate: control: 64.3%; aloperine: 0%) induced by reperfusion injury. Aloperine also reduced serum levels of LDH, CK-MB, α-HBDH, and cTnI post-I/R, and stimulated phosphorylation of ventricular ERK1/2 and STAT-3, which are key components of RISK and SAFE signaling pathways. Inhibition of either ERK1/2 (with U0126) or STAT-3 (with Ag490) abolished aloperine-induced anti-arrhythmic effects and ERK1/2 and STAT-3 phosphorylation. Interestingly, while aloperine (100 μM) had no effect on cloned Kv4.3 activity, aloperine (1 μM and up) negative-shifted the voltage dependence of hERG activation by ~10 mV and increased peak hERG current by 35%. Thus, aloperine exerts striking anti-arrhythmic effects against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury-induced severe lethal ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death via the ERK1/2/STAT-3 signaling pathway, with potential additional contribution from increased cardiac myocyte repolarization capacity via augmented hERG activity.

Genome characterization of Iranian sophora yellow stunt virus isolates and construction of infectious clones

AbstractSophora yellow stunt virus is a species of the genus Nanovirus. Sophora yellow stunt virus (SYSV) has a wide geographical distribution in Iran. In the current study, SYSV was identified from Kerman province (south‐eastern Iran) in five symptomatic aromatic herbs that are commonly used in the Iranian diet: parsley, dill, fenugreek, mint and basil. These infections were detected using either a PCR assay or high‐throughput sequencing. Eight circular single‐stranded DNA genomic components of five SYSV isolates as well as a new sophora isolate from south‐western Iran were PCR amplified, sequenced and characterized. Sequence analysis of SYSV genomic components showed that the Iranian isolates shared nucleotide identities of 64%–100% with each other and 63%–93% with an isolate from China. DNA‐Rs and DNA‐Cs were found to be the most diverse components relative to the others. Furthermore, associated alphasatellite molecules with the basil sample shared nucleotide identities of 80.7%–99.9% with the counterpart alphasatellite molecules in GenBank. Infectious clones for the genomic DNAs of SYSV were constructed using head‐to‐tail dimeric or partial dimeric inserts. The pathogenesis of SYSV was demonstrated by inoculation with the infectious DNA clones that induced typical symptoms in five plant species. Given the wide distribution of SYSV and its common host (Sophora alopecuroides) throughout Iran, as well as detection of the virus in plants of four families (Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae and Nitrariaceae), this virus is of economic importance within leguminous crops and in production of aromatic herbs in Iran.

Preparation and cytotoxicity evaluation of folic acid-modified YF8-OA self-assembled lipid prodrug nanoparticles

This study aimed to improve the use of YF8, a matrine derivative obtained through chemical transformation of matrine extracted from Sophora alopecuroides. YF8 has demonstrated improved cytotoxicity compared to matrine, but its hydrophobic nature hinders its application. To overcome this, the lipid prodrug YF8-OA was synthesized by linking oleic acid (OA) to YF8 through an ester bond. Although YF8-OA could self-assemble into unique nanostructures in water, it was not sufficiently stable. To enhance the stability of YF8-OA lipid prodrug nanoparticles (LPs), we employed the strategy of PEGylation using DSPE-mPEG2000 or DSPE-mPEG2000 conjugated with folic acid (FA). This resulted in the formation of uniform spherical nanoparticles with greatly improved stability and a maximum drug load capacity upto 58.63%. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in A549, HeLa, and HepG2 cell lines. The results showed that in HeLa cells, the IC50 value of YF8-OA/LPs with FA-modified PEGylation was significantly lower than that of YF8-OA/LPs modified by PEGylation alone. However, no significant enhancement was observed in A549 and HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the lipid prodrug YF8-OA can form nanoparticles in aqueous solution to address its poor water solubility. Modification with FA resulted in further enhanced cytotoxicity, providing a potential avenue for exerting the antitumor activity of matrine analogs.

Molecular mechanism of saline-alkali stress tolerance in the green manure crop Sophora alopecuroides

Selecting suitable plants as green manures is essential for improving marginal soil fertility and sustainable agroecosystems. Sophora alopecuroides is a highly salt- and alkali-tolerant leguminous plant that is often used as green manure. However, the molecular mechanism underlying saline-alkali tolerance in S. alopecuroides remains largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying saline-alkali stress tolerance through physiological and transcriptomic analyses in S. alopecuroides seedlings. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that saline-alkali stress induced the expression of genes involved in cell wall modification, thereby increasing the contents of pectin and hemicellulose in roots and improving saline-alkali stress tolerance. The expression of genes related to the glycolysis pathway was induced, whereas genes involved in the TCA cycle and primary nitrogen metabolism were downregulated under salt and alkali stresses, indicating that S. alopecuroides plants modulate carbon flow to provide energy and ultimately regulate saline-alkali stress adaptation. Saline-alkali stress also modulated phytohormone signaling pathways in S. alopecuroides. Moreover, the leaves of seedlings under salt and alkali stresses contained elevated potassium, zinc and manganese contents, and the roots of seedlings under salt stress contained higher iron content. Taken together, these adaptive mechanisms to saline-alkali stress provide a physiological basis for the coordinated nutrient cycling of S. alopecuroides green manure. These results provide a molecular basis for the phytoremediation and utilization of saline-alkali soil, enabling the design of an integrated nutrient cycling system and optimization of the cultivation and field management of S. alopecuroides green manure.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of specialized metabolites and isoflavonoid biosynthesis in Sophora alopecuroides L. under different degrees of drought stress

Appropriate drought stress could promote the accumulation of specialized metabolites in plants, especially in medicinal plants. Sophora alopecuroides L. (Leguminosae), a medicinal plant with a variety of bioactive specialized metabolites, has an excellent drought resistance. In this study, drought stress-induced metabolomic and transcriptomic changes in S. alopecuroides were identified, to explore the mechanism of specialized metabolite changes in response to mild, moderate and severe drought stress. The metabolic analysis results showed that a total of 919 annotated metabolites were detected and quantified, of them, flavonoid metabolites were the main metabolites in S. alopecuroides. Moreover, a total of 411 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified, among them, 6-Hydroxydaidzein, 2-Hydroxy-2,3-dihydrogenistein, prunetin, and biochanin A significantly increased under mild drought stress but isoflavonoids significantly decreased under moderate and severe drought stress. Transcriptional analysis showed that a total of 21,307 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and most of them were enriched in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites pathway. The integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses results proved that these DAMs and DEGs were most significantly enriched in isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway (ko00943). In addition, some structural genes such as 2-hydroxyisoflavanone synthase (IFS), 2-hydroxyisoflavanone dehydratase (HID), isoflavone 7-O-glucosyltransferase (IF7GT), and isoflavone 7-O-glucoside-6''-O-malonyltransferase (IF7MAT) and seven MYB transcription factors (SaMYB1∼ SaMYB7) were identified, which played crucial regulatory roles in the isoflavonoid synthesis. This study provides useful insights into the molecular mechanism of S. alopecuroides in response to drought stress, and help develop biotechnological strategies to manipulate the levels of therapeutic specialized metabolites in S. alopecuroides.

Aloperine Prevents Migration, Invasion, and Adhesion by Upregulating TIMP-4 in Human Bladder Cancer Cells.

Aloperine (ALO) is an important active component of quinolizidine alkaloids in Sophora flavescens A and Sophora alopecuroides L, and has effective anticancer activity against multiple cancers. However, the influence and mechanism of ALO on migration, invasion, and adhesion in bladder cancer cells remain unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the anticancer effect of ALO on migration, invasion, and adhesion in bladder cancer cells and to investigate its potential TIMP-4-related mechanism. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, wound healing, Transwell invasion, cell adhesion, real-time qPCR, western blot, and ELISA assays were performed to analyze the effect of ALO on migration, invasion, and adhesion in bladder cancer 5637 and UM-UC-3 cells. Furthermore, the anti-TIMP-4 antibody was used to explore the potential effect on ALO-inhibited bladder cancer cells. We have found that ALO significantly suppressed migration, invasion, and adhesion in bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, ALO could downregulate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNAs and proteins, and increase the expression of TIMP-4 mRNA and protein. Moreover, the anti- TIMP-4 antibody reversed the prevention of migration, invasion, and adhesion in ALO-treated bladder cancer cells. The data in this study suggest that ALO suppressed migration, invasion, and adhesion in bladder cancer cells by upregulating the expression of TIMP-4.

Comparative Study of the Effect of Sophora alopecuroides Plant Extract on Trichomonas vaginalis Parasite In Vitro

Background: Trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis is considered one of the most important worldwide non-viral sexually transmitted infections. The remaining clinical symptoms of the disease after treatment with metronidazole confirm the presence of metronidazole-resistant strains. Objectives: Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of the extract of the root and leaf of the Sophora alopecuroides plant on the growth and inhibition of the growth of T. vaginalis parasite. Methods: Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. alopecuroides plant roots and leaves with concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 5 mg/mL, as well as metronidazole were exposed to 105 parasites and mouse macrophage cells in 24 and 48 hours. To determine the toxicity of the extract on the cells, mice peritoneal cells were used for the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide test. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration and 50% cytotoxic concentration values were evaluated by PRISM GraphPad software, and analysis of variance and t test were employed for statistical comparisons by SPSS-23. Results: The aqueous-alkaline compounds of the root of the S. alopecuroides plant demonstrated a promising effect on inhibiting parasite growth, but the therapeutic index of the aqueous extract of its leaves was less effective than the rest of the extracts and metronidazole. After 24 hours, at a concentration of 2.5%, the aqueous extract of the root had the most effect with 69.4%, and the aqueous extract of the leaf had the least effect with 34.68% of growth inhibition. However, none of the extracts had a greater inhibitory effect than metronidazole, but after 48 hours, the effect of the extract caused more inhibition due to time. Conclusion: Overall, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the leaves and roots of the S. alopecuroides plant had suitable anti-trichomonas effects. In addition, the aqueous leaf extract had a good effect with the least toxicity. Considering that this research was performed for the first time, to generalize the results, extensive research is needed in in vivo conditions.

Non-food bioactive products for botanical pesticides: Insights into residue and dissipation kinetics of matrine-type alkaloids from Sophora alopecuroides

Non-food bioactive products for botanical pesticides: Insights into residue and dissipation kinetics of matrine-type alkaloids from Sophora alopecuroides

Oxysophoridine protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via inhibition of TLR4/p38MAPK‑mediated ferroptosis.

Oxysophoridine (OSR) is an alkaloid extracted from Sophoraalopecuroides L. and exerts beneficial effects in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the regulatory effects of OSR in cerebral I/R injury remains unclear. In the present study, a cerebral I/R injury rat model was established by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. Hematoxylin and eosin and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining were performed to assess histopathological changes and the extent of cerebral injury to the brain. A Cell Counting Kit‑8 and TUNEL assay and western blotting were performed to assess cell viability and apoptosis. Ferroptosis and oxidative stress were evaluated based on ATP and Fe2+ levels and DCFH‑DA staining. The protein expression levels of inflammatory factors were assessed using ELISA. The protein expression levels of members of the toll‑like receptor (TLR)4/p38MAPK signaling pathway were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. The results demonstrated that OSR decreased brain injury and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus in I/R‑induced rats. OSR inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, decreased levels of ATP, Fe2+ and acyl‑CoA synthetase long‑chain family member4 (ACSL4) and transferrin 1 protein and increased the protein expression levels of ferritin 1 and glutathione peroxidase 4. Furthermore, OSR blocked TLR4/p38MAPK signaling in brain tissue in the I/R‑induced rat. Invitro experiments demonstrated that TLR4 overexpression induced generation of ROS, ATP and Fe2+, which promoted the expression of ferroptosis‑associated proteins in hippocampal HT22 neuronal cells. The ferroptosis inducer erastin decreased the effects of OSR on oxygen‑glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)‑induced cell viability, oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Together, the results demonstrated that OSR alleviated cerebral I/R injury via inhibition of TLR4/p38MAPK‑mediated ferroptosis.

Sophora alopecuroides Alleviates Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Damage of Parkinson's Disease In Vitro and In Vivo.

For centuries, Sophora alopecuroides L. has been used both as a food and an herbal medicine in northern China. A new cytisine-type alkaloid, N-methylene-(5,7,4[Formula: see text]-trihydroxy)-isoflavone (LY01),was found in the fruits of Sophora alopecuroides L. and shows neuroprotective effects against Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is a frequently occurring, irreversible neurodegenerative disease that seriously threatens the health of the elderly population. There is no cure for PD. The available treatments help manage the symptoms, but their use is limited by multiple side effects. Therefore, more pharmacological treatments addressing this pathology are urgently required. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of LY01 against PD, as well as their underlying mechanisms, using both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. A 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD was used to assess the effects of LY01 on the motor coordination deficit, progression of the pathology, and molecular characteristics. 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP[Formula: see text])-activated SH-SY5Y cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 cells were used to evaluate LY01 effects on oxidative damage and neuroinflammation. In the rotarod test, LY01 alleviated the impaired motor coordination in PD mice. Furthermore, LY01 treatment prevented the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum of the PD mice, reduced neuroinflammation in the mice with MPTP-induced PD and the LPS-activated BV-2 cells, and diminished oxidative stress in the PD mice and the MPP[Formula: see text]-induced SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, these results suggest the potential of LY01 as a therapeutic agent for treating PD.

Extraction, Separation, Antitumor Effect, and Mechanism of Alkaloids in Sophora alopecuroides: A Review

Malignant tumors pose a serious threat to human health, reducing quality of life. Natural antitumor drugs play a vital role in the treatment of cancer. Sophora alopecuroides, a traditional Chinese medicine not a part of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, grows in the arid desert and edge zone of grassland. Previous studies have extensively investigated the antitumor effects of S. alopecuroides and its major alkaloids. Of these, aloperine, matrine, oxymatrine, sophoridine, and sophocarpine have received the most attention. In recent years, a variety of extraction and separation methods have been applied to the study of the alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides, which has greatly promoted the study of the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the plant. S. alopecuroides has been shown to impede cancer cell growth, induce cell cycle arrest, enhance apoptosis and cellular differentiation, and impede cancer metastasis and invasion. Several mechanisms have been proposed for modulating cancer signaling and molecular pathways or targets based on multitudinous studies in various types of cancerous cells. This review provides an in-depth overview of the antitumor effects of S. alopecuroides and the potential targets of 12 alkaloids in S. alopecuroides via a pharmacophore mapping approach and offers a scientific basis for the further exploration of the mechanism related to the antitumor effects of this plant.

Synergistic anticancer effect of flavonoids from Sophora alopecuroides with Sorafenib against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sorafenib (SF), a multi-kinase inhibitor, is the first FDA-approved systemic chemotherapy drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its clinical application is limited by severe toxicity and side effects associated with high applied doses. Sophora alopecuroides L. is traditionally used as Chinese herbal medicine for treating gastrointestinal diseases, bacillary dysentery, viral hepatitis, and other diseases, and exerts an important role in anti-tumor. Hence, we investigated the synergistic actions of seventeen flavonoids from this herb combined with SF against HCC cell lines and their primary mechanism. In the experiment, most compounds were found to prominently enhance the inhibitory effects of SF on HCC cells than their alone treatment. Among them, three compounds leachianone A (1), sophoraflavanone G (3), and trifolirhizin (17) exhibited significantly synergistic anticancer activities against MHCC97H cells at low concentration with IC50 of SF reduced by 5.8-fold, 3.6-fold, and 3.5-fold corresponding their CI values of 0.49, 0.66, and 0.46 respectively. Importantly, compounds 3 or 17 combined with SF could synergistically induce MHCC97H cells apoptosis via the endogenously mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway, involving higher Bax/Bcl-2 expressions with the activation of caspase-9 and -3, and arrest the cell cycle in G1 phases. Strikingly, this synergistic effect was also closely related to the co-suppression of ERK and AKT signaling pathways. Furthermore, compound 3 significantly enhanced the suppression of SF on tumor growth in the HepG2 xenograft model, with a 79.3% inhibition ratio at high concentration, without systemic toxicity, compared to either agent alone. These results demonstrate that the combination treatment of flavonoid 3 and SF at low doses exert synergistic anticancer effects on HCC cells in vitro and in vivo.