Ce produit n'est pas destiné à diagnostiquer, traiter, guérir ou prévenir toute maladie. Ces déclarations n'ont pas été évaluées par la Food and Drug Administration.
Ces informations sont fournies à titre éducatif uniquement et ne remplacent pas un avis médical professionnel, un diagnostic ou un traitement. Consultez toujours votre professionnel de santé avant d'utiliser des plantes, surtout si vous êtes enceinte, allaitez, prenez des médicaments ou avez une condition médicale.
Ku Shen contains alkaloids, particularly matrine and oxymatrine, which demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties. These compounds inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and have demonstrated antihistamine effects, helping reduce itching and inflammation associated with eczema and other skin conditions. The herb also contains flavonoids that contribute antioxidant activity. In Traditional Chinese Medicine terms, Ku Shen 'clears heat and dries dampness,' addressing the underlying patterns associated with skin eruptions and itching. Evidence level: C.
Does Ku Shen interact with any medications?
Ku Shen may interact with medications that affect heart rhythm, as high doses of its alkaloids (matrine, oxymatrine) can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Caution is advised when taking antiarrhythmic drugs or medications that prolong the QT interval. Additionally, due to its effects on certain liver enzymes, Ku Shen may potentially interact with drugs metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system, affecting how these medications are processed in the body. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before using Ku Shen. Evidence level: C/Traditional.
What is the recommended dosage for Ku Shen?
The typical adult dosage of Ku Shen is 4.5–9 grams daily when prepared as a decoction. For topical use, it can be prepared as a wash or soak for skin conditions. The root is typically decocted (boiled) in water for 20-30 minutes. Dosage may vary based on the specific condition being treated and should be determined by a qualified practitioner. Due to potential cardiac effects at higher doses, exceeding recommended amounts is strongly discouraged. Evidence level: Traditional.
Is Ku Shen safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Ku Shen is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be avoided. The alkaloids present in Ku Shen, including matrine and oxymatrine, may stimulate uterine contractions and pose risks to fetal development. Traditional Chinese Medicine sources consistently list Ku Shen as unsafe during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding should not use Ku Shen internally or topically. Additionally, internal use is not recommended for children or individuals with heart conditions. Evidence level: C/Traditional.
What are the side effects of Ku Shen?
Common side effects of Ku Shen include nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort, particularly when taken internally. At higher doses, more serious effects can occur, including cardiac arrhythmias due to the presence of quinolizidine alkaloids. Symptoms of toxicity may include dizziness, headache, and irregular heartbeat. Long-term use or excessive dosing increases the risk of adverse effects. Internal use is contraindicated in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. If any concerning symptoms develop, discontinue use and seek medical attention. Evidence level: C.
Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed
Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.
Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b
Résumé
Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor properties [PMID:26087234, 35358931].
Contexte
Sophora flavescens, also known as Kushen, is a medicinal plant widely distributed in China and Japan [PMID:38397194, 33490578]. It has been utilized in East Asian medicine since the Qin and Han dynasties [PMID:26087234, 35358931].
Usages traditionnels
Traditionally used to treat fever, dysentery, hematochezia, jaundice, oliguria, vulvar swelling, asthma, eczema, inflammatory disorders, ulcers, skin burns, diarrhea, and vaginal itching [PMID:26087234, 38797379, 40850660]. It is also recognized for heat-clearing, damp-drying, insecticidal, and diuretic properties [PMID:38864547, 35358931].
Composés actifs
Key bioactive compounds include quinolizidine alkaloids such as matrine, oxymatrine, and sophocarpine [PMID:27150374, 38746009], as well as prenylated flavonoids including kurarinone, sophoraflavanone G, and kushenols A and I [PMID:38397194, 37137428]. Other identified components include formononetin, hyperforin, and various pterocarpan glycosides [PMID:40635516, 37116554, 35583301].
Mécanisme d'action
Mechanisms include suppression of microglia activation via the NF-κB signaling pathway [PMID:35217618], membrane disruption of bacteria [PMID:37137428], suppression of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) [PMID:40635516], and modulation of ROS/MAPK/autophagy responses [PMID:40850660]. Some components exhibit estrogenic activity mediated by estrogen receptors [PMID:38397194] and target the PI3K-AKT/ICAM1 axis [PMID:37116554].
Sophora flavescens has shown potential analgesic and anti-cancer properties [PMID:39629083]
Preuve CBreast Cancer
Matrine, oxymatrine, and Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) are used to inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration of breast cancer cells and relieve chemotherapy side effects [PMID:32161498]
Preuve DUlcerative Colitis
Oxymatrine alleviates colitis by improving inflammation and ferroptosis [PMID:38797379]; SF-derived nanovesicles carrying CX5461 ameliorate DSS-induced colitis in mice [PMID:39379937]
Preuve DParkinson's Disease
Kurarinone alleviated behavioral deficits and dopaminergic neurotoxicity in animal models by stabilizing epoxyeicosatrienoic acids [PMID:35217618]
Preuve DAtopic Dermatitis
Formononetin alleviates AD by suppressing neutrophil extracellular traps [PMID:40635516]
Preuve DMRSA Infection
Sécurité et effets indésirables
Matrine is noted for potential toxicity to the central nervous system [PMID:37570750]. However, aqueous root extract was classified as non-irritant in in vitro skin and eye irritation tests [PMID:42198524].
Synthèse des preuves
Evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (D), and a few reviews (C). One systematic review/meta-analysis (A) exists regarding bone neuropathic pain, though the overall clinical evidence for human use remains fragmented.
Sources PubMed
1.PMID: 39379937 (2024) — Oral administration of Sophora Flavescens-derived exosomes-like nanovesicles carrying CX5461 ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice. · Journal of nanobiotechnology
2.PMID: 35217618 (2022) — Kurarinone alleviated Parkinson's disease via stabilization of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in animal model. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
3.PMID: 37137428 (2024) — Antimicrobial activities of lavandulylated flavonoids in Sophora flavences against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus via membrane disruption. · Journal of advanced research
4.PMID: 38797379 (2024) — Beneficial effects of oxymatrine from Sophora flavescens on alleviating Ulcerative colitis by improving inflammation and ferroptosis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
Aucune monographie gouvernementale directe n'est disponible pour cette plante. Le contenu ci-dessous est généré par IA et n'a pas été vérifié par rapport à une source gouvernementale faisant autorité. Utilisez les liens de recherche pour consulter les sources officielles avant de vous fier à ces informations.
Sophoraflavanone G and kurarinone exhibit antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus via membrane disruption [PMID:37137428]
— Structural Modifications of Matrine-Type Alkaloids.
· Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
6.PMID: 27150374 (2016) — Matrine: Bioactivities and Structural Modifications. · Current topics in medicinal chemistry
12.PMID: 40850660 (2026) — Sophora flavescens Aiton alleviates particulate matter-exacerbated asthma through modulation of ROS/ MAPK/autophagy responses. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
13.PMID: 33490578 (2018) — Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of shrubby sophora (Sophora flavescens Ait.). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
14.PMID: 32924588 (2022) — Quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens. · Natural product research
15.PMID: 38746009 (2024) — A review on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of sophocarpine. · Frontiers in pharmacology
16.PMID: 26087234 (2015) — Sophora flavescens Ait.: Traditional usage, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional Chinese medicine. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
17.PMID: 37743030 (2023) — Alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens and their anti-tumor activity. · Fitoterapia
18.PMID: 38864547 (2024) — Prenylated Flavonoids in Sophora flavescens: A Systematic Review of Their Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
19.PMID: 32194169 (2020) — Phytochemistry and biological properties of isoprenoid flavonoids from Sophora flavescens Ait. · Fitoterapia
20.PMID: 37570750 (2023) — Research Progress of Natural Matrine Compounds and Synthetic Matrine Derivatives. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
21.PMID: 32161498 (2020) — Anti-Tumor Activities of Bioactive Phytochemicals in Sophora flavescens for Breast Cancer. · Cancer management and research
22.PMID: 37116554 (2023) — Hyperforin regulates renal fibrosis via targeting the PI3K-AKT/ICAM1 axis. · Cellular signalling
23.PMID: 10654410 (1999) — Antibacterial and antiandrogen flavonoids from Sophora flavescens. · Journal of natural products
24.PMID: 40935216 (2026) — Combining metabolomics and network pharmacology to clarify the mechanism of Angelica sinensis-Sophora flavescens pills in treating atopic dermatitis through the sweet-bitter harmonization theory. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
25.PMID: 35358931 (2022) — Chemical diversity, biological activities and Traditional uses of and important Chinese herb Sophora. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
26.PMID: 39629083 (2024) — Meta-analysis of the effect of sophora flavescens on tumor metastasis-induced bone neuropathic pain. · Frontiers in pharmacology
27.PMID: 40822926 (2025) — Sophora flavescens-derived extracellular vesicles loaded with oncolytic vaccinia virus/IR1061 for NIR-II photoacoustic imaging guided multimodal treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. · Materials today. Bio
28.PMID: 29173048 (2018) — Nonspecific Symbiosis Between Sophora flavescens and Different Rhizobia. · Molecular plant-microbe interactions : MPMI
29.PMID: 42198524 (2026) — Safety Assessment of Sophora flavescens Root Extract for Cosmetic Use: An Integrated Approach Using In Vitro, In Silico MoS, TTC, and History of Safe Use. · Toxics