Sophflarines F-K: matrine-based alkaloids with a rare aromatic system from Sophora flavescens and their anti-inflammatory and synergistic antibacterial effects

doi:10.1007/s13659-026-00595-2

Natural Products and Bioprospecting ›› 2026, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (4): 53-53.DOI: 10.1007/s13659-026-00595-2

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Sophflarines F-K: matrine-based alkaloids with a rare aromatic system from Sophora flavescens and their anti-inflammatory and synergistic antibacterial effects

Ding Luo^1,2,3, Le-Yan Wang¹, Xiang-Feng Zhao³, Xiao-Lin Huang¹, Yang-Yi Hu¹, Qiong-Yun Jing¹, Yan-Jun Chen³, He Tian³, Si-Yan Chen¹, Yu-Yan Wang¹, Xian-Hui Huang¹, Zhen-Ling Zeng¹, Xiao-Ping Liao^1,2

1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China;
2. National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510000, China;
3. Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510000, China

Received:2025-12-12 Accepted:2026-01-23 Online:2026-08-29 Published:2026-08-22
Contact: Xian-Hui Huang,E-mail:xhhuang@scau.edu.cn;Zhen-Ling Zeng,E-mail:zlzeng@scau.edu.cn;Xiao-Ping Liao,E-mail:xpliao@scau.edu.cn
Supported by:
The National Key Research and Development Program of China, 2023YFD1800101, Zhen-Ling Zeng, National Natural Science Foundation of China,82304320, Ding Luo, 82273803, Ding Luo, the Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 32121004, Xiao-Ping Liao, the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangdong Province, 20251086, He Tian

Sophflarines F-K: matrine-based alkaloids with a rare aromatic system from Sophora flavescens and their anti-inflammatory and synergistic antibacterial effects

1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China;
2. National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510000, China;
3. Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510000, China

通讯作者: Xian-Hui Huang,E-mail:xhhuang@scau.edu.cn;Zhen-Ling Zeng,E-mail:zlzeng@scau.edu.cn;Xiao-Ping Liao,E-mail:xpliao@scau.edu.cn
基金资助:
The National Key Research and Development Program of China, 2023YFD1800101, Zhen-Ling Zeng, National Natural Science Foundation of China,82304320, Ding Luo, 82273803, Ding Luo, the Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 32121004, Xiao-Ping Liao, the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangdong Province, 20251086, He Tian

Abstract

Abstract: Six new matrine-based alkaloids, sophflarines F-K (1-6), featuring a rare aromatic system, were obtained from the water-soluble alkaloid fractions of Sophora flavescens by UV-guided separation. Their structures were elucidated by the interpretation of spectroscopic analyses, quantum chemical calculation, and X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1 and 2 represent highly modified 15,16-seco-17-nor-matrine derivatives incorporating a rare 4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[2,3,4-ij]quinolizine moiety, while compound 5 possesses an unusual 6/6/6-5 tetracyclic skeleton. A copper sulfate-induced zebrafish assay revealed that compounds 1, 4, and 5 exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity at non-toxic concentrations. Checkerboard assays demonstrated that compounds 5 and 6 potentiated colistin activity against Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and BW25113-mcr-1, reducing colistin MIC values by 16- and 32-fold, respectively. These findings expand the structural diversity of aromatic matrine-type alkaloids and highlight their potential as anti-inflammatory agents and antibacterial adjuvants.

Key words: Matrine type alkaloids, Sophora flavescens, X-Ray diffraction, Anti inflammatory, Antibacterial synergy

摘要： Six new matrine-based alkaloids, sophflarines F-K (1-6), featuring a rare aromatic system, were obtained from the water-soluble alkaloid fractions of Sophora flavescens by UV-guided separation. Their structures were elucidated by the interpretation of spectroscopic analyses, quantum chemical calculation, and X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1 and 2 represent highly modified 15,16-seco-17-nor-matrine derivatives incorporating a rare 4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[2,3,4-ij]quinolizine moiety, while compound 5 possesses an unusual 6/6/6-5 tetracyclic skeleton. A copper sulfate-induced zebrafish assay revealed that compounds 1, 4, and 5 exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity at non-toxic concentrations. Checkerboard assays demonstrated that compounds 5 and 6 potentiated colistin activity against Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and BW25113-mcr-1, reducing colistin MIC values by 16- and 32-fold, respectively. These findings expand the structural diversity of aromatic matrine-type alkaloids and highlight their potential as anti-inflammatory agents and antibacterial adjuvants.

关键词: Matrine type alkaloids, Sophora flavescens, X-Ray diffraction, Anti inflammatory, Antibacterial synergy

Ding Luo, Le-Yan Wang, Xiang-Feng Zhao, Xiao-Lin Huang, Yang-Yi Hu, Qiong-Yun Jing, Yan-Jun Chen, He Tian, Si-Yan Chen, Yu-Yan Wang, Xian-Hui Huang, Zhen-Ling Zeng, Xiao-Ping Liao. Sophflarines F-K: matrine-based alkaloids with a rare aromatic system from Sophora flavescens and their anti-inflammatory and synergistic antibacterial effects[J]. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 2026, 16(4): 53-53.

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Sophflarines F-K: matrine-based alkaloids with a rare aromatic system from Sophora flavescens and their anti-inflammatory and synergistic antibacterial effects

Sophflarines F-K: matrine-based alkaloids with a rare aromatic system from Sophora flavescens and their anti-inflammatory and synergistic antibacterial effects

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