[Advance in studies on anti-tumor mechanism of matrine]

Matrine is one of the main active components extracted from Sophora flavescens, S. subprostrata and S. alopecuroides. In recent years, its anti-tumor activity has attracted wide attention. According to studies, matrine shows the anti-tumor effect through multiple channels such as inducing apoptosis and autophagy of cancer cells, arresting cell cycle, inhibiting tumor cell migration, angiogenesis and NF-kappaB, as well as the synergistic effect with chemotherapeutics. Along with the further studies on matrine's anti-tumor mechanism, it has a broad prospect for development and application in tumor clinical treatment.