Sophora Flavescens (Ku Shen) Extract Powder 10:1, 20:1, 50:1 TLC
【Other names】: Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, Lightyellow Sophora Root
【Botanical source】: Sophora flavescens Ait.
【Part used】: Dried roots of Sophora flavescens Ait, a leguminous plant. Dig in spring and autumn, remove root heads and small branches, wash and dry, or slice fresh and dry.
【Specification】: 10:1, 20:1, 50:1 TLC
【Appearance】: Brownish yellow fine powder
【Particle size】: 95% pass 80 mesh size

Sophora Flavescens (Ku Shen) Extract Powder Production Flowchart
Sophora Flavescens (Ku Shen) raw materials – natural air drying–Coarse powder(40 mesh) -Low temperature water extraction – 1^st Reflux Extraction(10 times water,2 Hrs) – 2^nd Reflux Extraction8 times water,1.5 Hrs) – 3rd Reflux Extraction(6 times water,1 Hrs) – Extraction Solution-combine&Filtrate-Concentrate-Extractum-spray drying – screening – packaging – detection of physical and chemical indicators – warehousing

Specification Sheet of Sophora Flavescens (Ku Shen) Extract Powder

Extended Reading
Sophora Flavescens (Ku Shen) Function and Efficacy Recorded in TCM
Kushen is a very important and commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine for clearing heat and dampness. Its medicinal properties are bitter and cold, affecting the heart, liver, stomach, large intestine, and bladder meridians. Its core function can be summarized as “clearing heat and dampness, insecticidal and diuretic”.

The following provides a detailed explanation of the role and application of Sophora flavescens in traditional Chinese medicine:

1. Clear heat and dry dampness
This is the main function of Sophora flavescens. Especially adept at removing dampness and heat from the lower body of the human body, such as the intestines, liver, gallbladder, and urinary and reproductive systems.

Damp heat diarrhea, rectal bleeding, jaundice:
Used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, urgency, and even bloody stools caused by damp heat in the intestines. Often used together with medicines such as wood fragrance and coptis.

It is also used for jaundice (yellowing of the body, eyes, and urine) caused by damp heat in the liver and gallbladder, and is often combined with gardenia, gentian grass, and other herbs.

Damp heat pouring, accompanied by itching:
Used for itching under the yellow and thick vaginal area and external genitalia caused by dampness and heat in women.

Used for male scrotal dampness, eczema, itching, etc. Often used together with herbs such as Huangbai and Snake Bed Seed.

2. Insecticide and itching relief
Sophora flavescens has inhibitory and bactericidal effects on various skin parasites and fungi, and is an essential medicine for treating skin diseases.

Skin itching, scabies, eczema:
It can be used for various types of skin diseases, such as eczema (especially those with exudation and flowing water), scabies, psoriasis, etc. It can be taken orally, but it is also commonly applied topically as a decoction for bathing or as a ointment.

The famous formula “Xiaofeng San” contains Sophora flavescens, which is used to treat skin itching caused by rheumatism soaking in the blood vessels.

Trichomonas vaginitis:
Often boiled with snake bed seeds, yellow cypress, and other ingredients for sitz baths or rinsing to kill trichomonas and relieve genital itching.

3. Diuretics
By clearing and removing dampness and heat from the lower burner, the pathogenic qi of dampness and heat can be expelled from urine, thereby achieving the effect of diuresis and promoting lymphatic circulation.

Difficulty urinating, burning and astringent pain:
Used for symptoms such as urinary obstruction, frequent urination, urgency, and pain caused by damp heat in the bladder. Often used in combination with diuretics such as Shiwei and Plantago asiatica.

Modern Pharmacological Effects of Sophora Flavescens (Ku Shen)
The modern pharmacological effects of Sophora flavescens are a modern scientific verification and extension of its traditional Chinese medicine efficacy. Researchers have isolated various active ingredients from Sophora flavescens, mainly including alkaloids (such as matrine, oxymatrine) and flavonoids. These ingredients endow Sophora flavescens with extensive and significant pharmacological activity.

The following are the main modern pharmacological effects of Sophora flavescens:

1. Anti inflammation, anti allergy, and immune regulation
Mechanism of action: Matrine and oxymatrine can significantly inhibit the production and release of various inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor – α (TNF – α), interleukins (ILs), prostaglandins, etc. They can also stabilize the cell membrane, inhibit degranulation of mast cells, and thereby alleviate allergic reactions.

Application association: This directly explains the effectiveness of Sophora flavescens in treating diseases such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and allergic asthma, corresponding to its traditional efficacy of “clearing heat and dampness, killing insects and relieving itching”.

2. Resistance to pathogenic microorganisms
Antibacterial: It has inhibitory effects on various Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Shigella, etc.

Antiviral: Studies have shown that Sophora flavescens ingredients have inhibitory effects on influenza virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and even some herpes viruses. Oxymatrine has certain clinical applications in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Antifungal: It has a strong inhibitory effect on dermatophytes, Candida albicans, and other fungi.

Antiparasitic: It has a killing effect on vaginal trichomonas, amoebas, and other parasites.

Application association: This provides a scientific basis for its treatment of bacterial dysentery, skin infections, vaginitis (including trichomonas and fungal infections), and corresponds to its efficacy of “clearing heat, drying dampness, and killing insects”.

3. Anti tumor
Mechanism of action: This is a very active field in modern research on Sophora flavescens. Matrine and oxymatrine can inhibit tumor cells through various pathways:

Inducing apoptosis of tumor cells (programmed cell death).
Inhibit tumor cell proliferation and cycle.
Inhibit tumor angiogenesis and cut off the nutritional supply to the tumor.
Reverse multidrug resistance in tumor cells and enhance chemotherapy efficacy.

Research field: In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown anti-tumor potential in various tumors such as liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, leukemia, etc. Some related clinical preparations have been applied for adjuvant therapy.

4. Cardiovascular system function
Antiarrhythmic effects: Matrine and oxymatrine have a “quinidine like” effect, which can reduce the autonomy of myocardial cells, prolong the effective refractory period, and inhibit ectopic pacing. They have certain therapeutic effects on ventricular premature beats, tachycardia, and other conditions caused by various reasons.

Protecting the heart: It has a protective effect on the myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Lowering blood lipids: may help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

5.Protect the liver and promote bile flow
Mechanism of action: Oxymatrine can alleviate various chemical liver injuries (such as those caused by carbon tetrachloride and D-galactosamine), including anti-inflammatory effects, inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation (anti liver fibrosis), and protection of liver cell membranes. At the same time, it can promote bile secretion.

Clinical application: Used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, liver fibrosis, and early cirrhosis, it is an important direction for the modern application of Sophora flavescens.

6.Function of the nervous system
Sedation and analgesia: Sophora flavescens alkaloids have significant central inhibitory effects, exhibiting sedative, hypnotic, and analgesic effects.

Attention: When used in large doses, serious side effects such as respiratory paralysis may occur due to excessive central inhibition.

7.Other functions
Relieve asthma: Relieve bronchial spasms through anti allergic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Anti fibrosis: In addition to anti liver fibrosis, it may also have a certain inhibitory effect on pulmonary fibrosis.

Elevated white blood cells: It has a therapeutic effect on leukopenia caused by certain reasons.