Oxymatrine: Sophora Angustifolia Extract for Skin Care

Oxymatrine, also known as matrine oxide, matrine N-oxide, matrine 1-oxide, is a natural active ingredient extracted from dried root of Sophora flavescens. Oxymatrine is commonly known as SOPHORA ANGUSTIFOLIA ROOT EXTRACT in cosmetic formulation. Oxymatrine is a botanical cosmetic ingredient that has anti-acne and anti-inflammatory property.

Oxymatrine and matrine are the main components of sophora flavescens alkaloids. The content of oxymatrine in Kushen root is much higher than that of matrine. And it can exist in plants in a relatively stable natural form. Matrine and oxymatrine have similar physiological activities, but there are still differences.

Differences Between Oxymatrine and Matrine

	Oxymatrine	Matrine
Appearance	White crystalline powder	Off white to white powder
Molecular Formula	C15H24N2O2	C15H24N2O
Molecular Structure
Physical Characteristics	Soluble in water, methanol, chloroform, benzene; insoluble in ether	Soluble in water, benzene, chloroform, methanol, ethanol; slightly soluble in petroleum ether
Function	As alkaloids, oxymatrine and matrine have same pharmacological effect. However, oxymatrine has an oxygen structure in its structure, which can change molecule polarity. Its biological activity is higher than that of matrine. So oxymatrine has some skin-care effect: anti-acne and anti-inflammatory.
Mutual Transformation	Both of them can be transformed in vitro and in vivo; wherein oxymatrine’s nitrogen atom is combined with oxygen by a coordination bond. Under certain condition, nitrogen-oxygen bond is cleaved and converted into matrine.
Application	Anti-acne cosmetics	Medicine and agricultural pesticides

Oxymatrine Uses for Skin Care

• Antibacterial and anti-inflammation

Oxymatrine has broad-spectrum antibacterial property. It not only inhibits biosynthesis of bacteria, but also affects bio-oxidation process of bacteria. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of oxymatrine is due to the stabilization of erythrocyte membrane. And it has strong immunomodulatory effect. Oxymatrine can exert its anti-inflammatory effect through changes of immune cells, cytokines and other inflammatory regulatory factors. It has a good treatment of eczema and dermatitis, and can alleviate skin itching caused by inflammation. Sophora angustifolia root extract is one of the three major plant soothing agents for skin care (the other two are licorice extract and astragalus extract). Oxymatrine is widely used for anti-acne and anti-inflammatory in cosmetics.

LPS: Lipopolysaccharides; COX: Cyclooxygenase

• Anti-allergic

Oxymatrine inhibits histamine release from mast cells induced by IgE (immunoglobulin E) and antigens. Also Oxymatrine acts as an anti-allergic agent; it inhibits physical pain, chemical irritating pain, and neuropathic pain, and relieves skin pain caused by inflammatory allergies.

• Skin-Whitening

Oxymatrine has an action of inhibiting tyrosinase, and inhibits melanin production. It has a skin-whitening effect. By inhibiting tyrosinase, oxymatrine can reduce pigmentation caused by skin aging and ultraviolet radiation.

• Anti-Wrinkle

Oxymatrine has lower cytotoxicity than retinol; and it exhibits an inhibitory effect on collagenase activity and a promotion of collagen biosynthesis. Oxymatrine has an effect of improving skin wrinkles.

• Promoting Hair Growth

Oxymatrine has been proven to be an effective antibacterial agent that promotes hair growth and circulation. Combined with other Chinese herb extracts, it has function of anti-inflammatory, blood circulation and cell regeneration. Oxymatrine, as sophora angustifolia root extract, provides rich nutrition for hair and scalp.

Oxymatrine Application in Cosmetics

Oxymatrine has been widely used in cosmetics, such as Shiseido Elixir Superieur Lifting Moisture Lotion II, Cle De Peau Beaute Gentle Cleansing Foam and other skin care products.

Oxymatrine is water-soluble; it is clear and transparent in aqueous solution. So it can be added as water phase component into cosmetics, and can be added to various types of cosmetics such as lotion, toner, essence, and cream. Moreover, oxymatrine is also easily soluble in organic solvents including methanol, chloroform and benzene. Plamed oxymatrine is medical grade, high safety, good water solubility, high purity, and white color. It not only can be used as a topical skin conditioning agent in cosmetics, but also can be injected to treat skin diseases.

Related Reading

1. Matrine Introduction

2. Oxymatrine Introduction