Chemical composition, antitumor properties and underlying mechanism of Sophora flavescens flavonoids: A review.

Sophora flavescens is a widely used medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine, particularly known for its rich flavonoid content. Historically used in traditional medicine, this herb has been documented in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica (Shennong Bencao Jing) for its effects in clearing heat, eliminating dampness, and serving as an anthelmintic and diuretic, for treating various conditions, including dysentery, jaundice, and skin diseases. Recent research on S. flavescens has expanded, particularly concerning its flavonoid compounds, which exhibit significant pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, and antitumor effects. This review systematically summarizes the chemical constituents of S. flavescens, identifying over 130 flavonoid compounds, primarily isoprenylflavonoids, with a specific focus on their antitumor activities. Studies have shown that representative compounds, such as kurarinone and kushenol G, selectively exhibit cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines (e.g., HepG2, A549, MCF-7) while sparing normal cells. The antitumor mechanisms are primarily attributed to apoptosis induction, modulation of oxidative stress, and regulation of multiple signaling pathways, including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) pathway. Furthermore, safety assessments indicate that while the overall toxicity of flavonoids from S. flavescens is relatively low, certain compounds may pose hepatotoxic risks at high doses, warranting further attention in clinical applications. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis and discussion of the chemical diversity, antitumor efficacy, and mechanisms of action of S. flavescens flavonoids, establishing a theoretical foundation and research direction for the development of novel anticancer drugs.