Supplement
Ku shen is the root of Sophora flavescens, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, whose alkaloids matrine and oxymatrine influence cell growth and inflammation. The evidence is very limited: lab studies found these compounds slowed cancer cell growth, and animal studies found tumors grew more slowly. Almost none of this comes from people taking it by mouth, and liver and nerve toxicity have been reported with its main alkaloids.
- Updated
- How we grade
- Best evidence
- Grade D
- Conditions studied
- 1
- Outcomes
- 7
- Graded outcomes
- 0007
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Cancer Effects Matrine and oxymatrine induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest across multiple cancer cell lines in vitro. Animal models show tumor growth inhibition. Some human studies in China have used injectable matrine preparations in cancer patients, but these are IV formulations under medical supervision, not oral supplements. No controlled trials of oral Ku Shen for cancer exist. | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | ||||
| Hair Growth Promotion In vitro studies demonstrate that Sophora flavescens compounds inhibit 5-alpha reductase, the same enzyme target as finasteride (used for androgenetic alopecia). However, no human studies have evaluated Ku Shen or its alkaloids for hair loss. Efficacy for hair growth is entirely theoretical based on enzyme inhibition assays. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | ||||
| Erectile Function In vitro studies show PDE5 inhibitory activity from Sophora flavescens compounds, sharing a mechanism with sildenafil (Viagra). However, no human studies have evaluated Ku Shen for erectile dysfunction. The erectogenic potential is inferred solely from enzyme inhibition potency in cell-free or cell-based assays. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | ||||
| Anti-Inflammatory Effects Preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity of matrine and other Ku Shen alkaloids, including suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. No human studies have evaluated anti-inflammatory effects of oral Ku Shen supplementation. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | ||||
| Liver Protection Animal studies show hepatoprotective effects of Sophora flavescens alkaloids, including protection against chemical-induced liver injury. Paradoxically, at higher doses, these same alkaloids can cause hepatotoxicity. No human studies have evaluated oral Ku Shen for liver protection, and the narrow therapeutic window raises significant safety concerns. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | ||||
| Hepatotoxicity Risk Matrine and oxymatrine have a narrow therapeutic window, with hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity reported at doses near the therapeutic range. Case reports and pharmacological studies document liver injury at supratherapeutic doses. The effective-to-toxic dose ratio is small, making unsupervised oral use potentially dangerous. | Worsens (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Key findings
- Anti-Cancer EffectsChanges; see studies
- Hepatitis B Viral LoadChanges; see studies
- Hair Growth PromotionImproves (the measure goes up)
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- Grade D
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