Matrine is an alkaloid

Alkaloid

Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...

 found in plants from the Sophora

Sophora

Sophora is a genus of about 45 species of small trees and shrubs in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family, Fabaceae. The species are native to southeast Europe, southern Asia, Australasia, various islands in the Pacific Ocean, western South America, the western United States, the Southern US...

family. It has a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-cancer effects, and action as a kappa opioid receptor

Kappa Opioid receptor

The κ-opioid receptor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OPRK1 gene. The κ-opioid receptor is one of five related receptors that bind opium-like compounds in the brain and are responsible for mediating the effects of these compounds...

 agonist.

Matrine possesses strong antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis are the likely mechanisms responsible for matrine's antitumor activities.Matrine is a component of the traditional Chinese medical herb Sophora flavescens

Sophora flavescens

Sophora flavescens is a species of plant in the genus Sophora. Ku shen or kushenin is a typical traditional Chinese medicine that is found in this plant...

 Ait, which is widely used to treat diseases such as viral hepatitis, cardiac arrhythmia and skin inflammations.

Matrine and the related compound oxymatrine have an antifeedant effect against Formosan subterranean termite

Formosan subterranean termite

The Formosan subterranean termite is an invasive species of termite. It has been transported worldwide from its native range in southern China to Formosa and Japan...

.