Ocular anti-inflammatory actions of matrine

Matrine is an alkaloid isolated from the root of Sophora subprostrata (Leguminosae) which has been used as a Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammation. Instillation of 50 microliter of 1% matrine showed significant inhibition of ocular inflammation induced by lens proteins. Unlike corticosteroids, matrine did not facilitate the IOP recovery in rabbit eyes nor did it change the electrical potential difference across rabbit iris-ciliary body. These results indicate that matrine could become a safer ocular antiinflammatory agent than corticosteroids. Further, matrine was found to markedly increase the reaction time of a mouse placed on a hot plate. These results indicate that matrine could be used as an analgesic as well.