Many extracted purification and determination methods of main alkaloids in S.flavescens and S.tonkinensis medical plants have been summarized.The relevant articles published in recent years were collected,analyzed,arranged and concluded.The existing literature are mostly purification of total Sophora alkaloids,however,the separation of monomer alkaloids are less.The determination of matrine,oxymatrine as quality control indicators is not reasonable in S.flavescens and S.tonkinensis plants.The structure diversity,toxicology and structure-activity relationship of those alkaloids should be strengthened in order to utilize resources and ensure safety and validity of clinical using for S.flavescens and S.tonkinensis plants.