Herba Sophorae
Alopecuroidis
Source
The whole plant of Sophora alopecuro ides L., family Leguminosae.
Characteristics
A shrub. leaves odd-pinnate compound, alternate; leaflet 15-25, oblong-lanceolate.
Raceme terminal; corolla papilionaceous and yellow. legume catenulate,
with 6-12 seeds. Besides corolla, the whole plant covered by grey-white
hairs. Bitter in taste, cold in nature, toxic, attributive to lung and
liver channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and toxic material, deprive dampness and kill parasites:
For sorethroat, dysentery, trichomonas enteritis, toothache, stomachache,
and leucorrhagia; external use for tinea and eczema.
2. Relieve dyspnea and cough.
3. Anticarcinogenic: For malignant hydatidiform mole, chorionic epithelioma
and leukemia.
Pharmacological
Action
Sophocarpine, matrine and aloperine are active components.
1. Aloperine inhibits exLidative inflammation and hemolysis of red blood
cells.
2. Its decoction or sophocarpine relieves asthma in guinea-pigs induced
by acetylcholine and histamine.
3. Sophocarpine or matrine inhibits sarcoma180 in vitro.
Administration
Decoction:
9-18g of root or herb; 3g of seed or as powder.
Sophocarpine ampoule: 0.2-0.4g added in glucose solution IV for drips
daily, 10 days as 1 course, continuing for 2 months with a 5-day interval
between two courses for tumor.