Matrine and oxymatrine; natural products with antiviral potentials

Abstract

Viral infections continue to pose a major global health threat due to limited treatment options and the rapid emergence of resistant strains. Natural compounds have gained increasing attention as potential antiviral agents with diverse mechanisms of action and favorable safety profiles. Matrine and oxymatrine, two major alkaloids derived from Sophora species, have demonstrated a broad spectrum of antiviral activities against both RNA and DNA viruses. This review highlights their immunomodulatory effects, such as the regulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, enhancement of cytotoxic T lymphocyte function, and modulation of key signaling pathways, including TLR, NF-κB, and MAPK. Additionally, we discuss their direct antiviral actions, such as inhibition of viral replication, suppression of viral protein expression, and prevention of virus-host cell interactions. By summarizing current in vitro, in vivo, and clinical findings, this article underscores the therapeutic promise of matrine and oxymatrine as effective antiviral agents and encourage further research into their clinical application.