Research Progress in the Pharmacological Activities, Toxicities, and Pharmacokinetics of Sophoridine and Its Derivatives
Qiong Tang, Yao Liu, Xi Peng, Baojun Wang, Fei Luan, Nan Zeng
Abstract
Qiong Tang,1,* Yao Liu,1,2,* Xi Peng,1 Baojun Wang,1 Fei Luan,1 Nan Zeng1 1State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610083, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Nan Zeng; Fei LuanSchool of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166, Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang Distract, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 611137, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86-28-6180-0231Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Sophoridine is a natural quinolizidine alkaloid and a bioactive ingredient that can be isolated and identified from certain herbs, including Sophora flavescens Alt, Sophora alopecuroides L, and Sophora viciifolia Hance. In recent years, this quinolizidine alkaloid has gained widespread attention because of its unique structure and minimal side effects. Modern pharmacological investigations have uncovered sophoridine’s multiple wide range biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-arrhythmia, and analgesic functions, among others. These pharmacological activities and beneficial effects point to sophoridine as a strong potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of various diseases, including several cancer types, hepatitis B virus, enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus B3, cerebral edema, cancer pain, heart failure, acute myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, inflammation, acute lung injury, and osteoporosis. The data showed that sophoridine had adverse reactions, including hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Additionally, analyses of sophoridine’s safety, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic parameters in animal models of research have been limited, especially in the clinic, as have been investigations on its structure-activity relationship. In this article, we comprehensively summarize the biological activities, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of sophoridine and its derivatives, as currently reported in publications, as we attempt to provide an overall perspective on sophoridine analogs and the prospects of its application clinically.Keywords: sophoridine, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity