OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of lipid-soluble and water-soluble extracts in Flos Sophorae Carbonisatus.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by means of solvent extraction and column chromatography, and their structures were determined by spectral analysis.

RESULTTwo compounds from petroleum ether extract and ten from n-BuOH extract were isolated and identified as sophoradiol (1), beta-sitosterol (2), 3 beta, 22 beta, 24-trihydroxy-olean-12-ene (soyasapogenol B) (3), daucosterol (4), kaikasaponin I (5), quercetin (6), isorhamnetin (7), 2-O-methyl-insitol (8), isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (9), isoquercitrin (10), orobol-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (11), rutin (12), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompound 3, 8-11 were isolated from Flos Sophorae Carbonisatus for the first time. The results could be basic foundation for further study on processing mechanism of Flos Sophorae Carbonisatus.

Aims: The current study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of biogenic synthesized golden nanoparticles from Sophora flavescens Aiton roots aqueous extract against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical bacterial isolates. Methodology and results: The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was accomplished using S. flavescens roots aqueous extract and examined using many accepted techniques. The antibacterial activity of S. flavescens extract and the aqueous AuNPs at concentrations (7% and 9%) ppm were investigated against two clinical MDR bacteria, including Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The findings demonstrate inhibitory activity against the selected MDR bacterial isolates for the aqueous extract of S. flavescens and the aqueous AuNPs noted by the significant decrease in the number of bacteria after treatment with highly significant differences (P≤0.01) compared to the untreated control. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Sophora flavescens root extracts and their biosynthesized AuNPs with antibacterial activity may find broad applications in fighting MDR pathogenic bacteria and therapeutic manufacturing.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Sophora flavescens

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genetic difference of biological characters on germplasm resources of Sophora alopecuroides.

METHODTwenty-three populations of S. alopecuroides from Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolian were used to analyze the seed size, 1 000-grain weight, and germination characteristics and so on.

RESULTIt showed that there were significant differences in seed size, 1 000-grain weight and the vitality of seeds. The biggest seed of S. alopecuroides was 4.7 mm x 3.5 mm, and the smallest was 3.8 mm x 2.9 mm, and the 1 000-grain weight was 15-26 g. Results of seeds vitality in 8 populations indicated that the highest vitality of seeds were No. 103 and No. 122. The germination index was 36.51 and 36.24 respectively, and the vitality index was 1 323.49 and 1 274.56. The coefficient of variation in seed traits exceeded 10% except the seed size.

CONCLUSIONThere are some differences and different heredity background in various S. alopecuroides germplasm resources.

OBJECTIVETo establish a new method for quality evaluation and validate its feasibilities by simultaneous quantitative assay of five alkaloids in Sophora flavescens.

METHODThe new quality evaluation method, quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS), was established and validated with S. flavescens. Five main alkaloids, oxymatrine, sophocarpine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophoridine, were selected as analytes to evaluate the quality of rhizome of S. flavescens, and the relative correction factor has good repeatibility. Their contents in 21 batches of samples, collected from different areas, were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The method was evaluated by comparison of the quantitative results between external standard method and QAMS.

RESULTNo significant differences were found in the quantitative results of five alkaloids in 21 batches of S. flavescens determined by external standard method and QAMS.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible and suitable to evaluate the quality of rhizome of S. flavescens by QAMS.

Three phenylpropanoid glycosides were purified by extensive chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over microporous resin, MCI, diol, sephadex LH-20, reverse phase C_(18) from water-extracts of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma. Their planar structures were elucidated by combination of various spectroscopic method, such as IR, UV, MS, and NMR. The absolute configuration of aglycone was determined by quantum chemical calculations. Their structures were elucidated as(8R)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propanol-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), kalopanaxin D(2),(E)-4-hydroxycinnamyl alcohol 4-O-[2'-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl(1″→2')]-β-D-glucopyranoside(3). Compound 1 was undescribed previously. Compounds 2 and 3 were firstly isolated from Sophora genus.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Ethanol ; Glycosides ; Rhizome ; Sophora

OBJECTIVETo analyze the chemical compositions and their contents in non-alkaloids fraction from Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis.

METHODThe non-alkaloids from Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after trimethylsilyl derivatization. The chemical compositions were identified by comparison of the authentic sample and NIST database; the contents of 19 identified components were determined by linear regression equation.

RESULT19 compounds constituting 34.72% of the non-alkaloids were identified. The major components were saccharides (5 compounds constituting 22.62%), organic acid (9 compounds constituting 11.81%), and others (5 compounds constituting 0.29%).

CONCLUSIONThe GC-MS is a simple, rapid and sensitive method to investigate the complex primary metabolites in plants.

This study was designed to investigate the flavor and taste change rules of Sophora Flavescentis Radix processed using the ancient classical method documented in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun). The Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces and the corresponding test samples in each processing stage were first prepared based on the processing method for Sophora Flavescentis Radix recorded in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun). Then the flavors and tastes of Sophora Flavescentis Radix test samples undergoing the soaking in rice-washed water, washing with clean water, and steaming for different time were compared with the electronic nose and tongue. The results showed that in the preparation of Sophora Flavescentis Radix with the ancient method, such processes as soaking in rice-washed water and washing with clean water had no significant influences on the flavor, which, however, was weakened by steaming. In terms of the taste, soaking with rice-washed water enhanced the bitter taste of Sophora Flavescentis Radix, which remained unchanged after being washed with the clean water. The steaming would also diminish the bitter taste, making it taste similar to the original Sophora Flavescentis Radix medicinal materials. During the steaming for six to eight hours, the flavor did not vary significantly over time, while the bitter taste was first weakened and then intensified. The bitter taste of Sophora Flavescentis Radix steamed for six hours was similar to that steamed for eight hours. In addition, the differences in flavor and taste between Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces processed by the ancient method in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun)and those by the modern method in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia were analyzed. The findings demonstrated that the flavor of Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces prepared by the ancient method was weaker than that by the modern method, whereas the bitter taste showed the opposite trend. The exploration on the flavor and taste change rules of Sophora Flavescentis Radix in its preparation by the ancient classical method and the differences in flavor and taste between Sophora Flavescentis Radix decoction pieces prepared by ancient and modern methods will lay a foundation for further elucidation of the scientific connotation of the ancient processing method and the medication principles of Sophora Flavescentis Radix in both ancient and modern times.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Electronic Nose ; Plant Roots ; Sophora ; Taste

It was aimed at exploring the potential pharmacological effects of alkaloids in Sophora alopecuroides by means of network pharmacology in this study. The main alkaloids in S. alopecuroides were collected for analysis of drug properties, prediction of potential targets and screening of signaling pathways. DAVID analysis tool combined with KEGG database was used to annotate and analyze the signaling pathway. The alkaloids-targets-signaling pathways network was built through Cytoscape software. Results showed that 17 alkaloids in S. alopecuroides involved 49 targets (170 times in all) and 22 important signaling pathways. Three nodes in model of network pharmacology were cross-linked, and the metabolic pathways were coordinated and regulated by each other. It indicated that alkaloids in S. alopecuroides may have therapeutic effect on diseases of cancer, metabolic disorder, endocrine system, digestive system, nervous system and so on.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Phytochemicals ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Sophora ; chemistry

In recent years, the establishment of the commercial grade of Yinpian [traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pieces for decoction] in the TCM industry has been hotly disputed. In this article, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix(SFR) was selected as a representative example to investigated. Through systematic comparison and analysis, the different grades of SFR slices were traced, verified and evaluated. According to the current published local grade standards of SFR slices, the results showed that the first-class of SFR slices were mostly derived from the wild medicinal materials, the second-class were mostly originated from the cultivated materials in 3-4 years, and the third-class products were from a small number of lateral roots and short-growing years or harsh habitat of wild medicinal materials. On the basis of identifying the sources of different grades of SFR slices, the contents of the active components, including matrine, oxymatrine, oxysophocarpine, sophoridine, N-methyl-cytisine, sophocarpine, were quantitatively determined in typical samples, it was found that the grades were inversely proportional to the contents of active ingredients. In order to ensure the universality of the conclusion, the contents of different grades of commercial SFR slices were determined, and the conclusion was verified as "the commercial grades of SFR slices were inversely linked to their contents of active ingredients". This phenomenon is common in the determination of the commercial grade of Yinpian of radix and rhizome. Therefore, we propose that the method or standard of the commercial grade of Yinpian of radix and rhizome based on the size of Yinpian maybe not proper. Whether and how to classify Yinpian commercial grade is not only a multi-disciplinary issue, especially in combination with clinical efficacy, but also a big problem need to consider the production, commercial circulation and other processes link of quality risk and quality assurance, and should be treated with great caution.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Roots ; Rhizome ; Sophora

To investigate the effects of six common drying methods on the quality of different specifications of Sophorae Flos, in order to select their suitable drying methods. According to appearance and morphology, Sophorae Flos was divided into the following three specifications: flower bud type(HL), half-open type(BK) and blooming type(SK). All specifications of samples were treated with shade-drying method(25 ℃, natural temperature), sun-drying method, hot-air-drying method(60, 105 ℃), and drying method(60 ℃) after steaming. The contents of total flavonoids, rutin, narcissus, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and Fe~(3+) reducing ability, DPPH free radical scavenging ability, ABTS free radical scavenging ability and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching(FRAP) were detected by UV, HPLC and colorimetry, respectively. Principal component analysis(PCA), cluster analysis(CA) and correlation analysis were used to comprehensively evaluate the quality of samples. According to the results, there were significant differences in the effect of drying methods on different specifications of samples. The drying method(60 ℃) after steaming was suitable for HL and BK, while the hot-air-drying method(60 ℃) was suitable for SK. When the fresh medicinal materials could not be treated in time, they should be spread out in a cool and ventilated place. Under high and low temperature conditions, the quality of three specifications of Sophorae Flos would be reduced. The hot-air-drying method(105 ℃) and shade-drying method(25 ℃) were not suitable for the treatment of fresh flowers and flower buds of Sophora japonicus. There were obviously differences of chemical compositions and antioxidant activities among the three specifications of samples. Therefore, the specifications of medicinal materials should be controlled to ensure the uniform quality. The study provided the abundant data reference for the selection of appropriate drying methods for the three specifications of Sophorae Flos, and useful exploration for the classification and processing of medicinal materials of flowers.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids/analysis* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Rutin ; Sophora