Analysis of alkaloid content in different organs in Sophora flavescens

[Objective] In order to right use Sophora flavescens plant resource,contents of matrine and oxymatrine of various organs of Sophora flavescens from Liaoning province were tested in the present paper.[Methods] TLC method.[Results] Matrine of seeds is the highest in content among all the tested organs,being up to 0.065% of dry weight,then stems (0.034%),roots(0.016%) and leaves(0.013%);The content of oxymatrine in roots is the highest,up to 3.847% of dry weight,and then seeds(1.982%) and stems(0.140%),no oxymatrine was detected in leaves.The alkaloid content is not significantly different between old rough roots more than 1.0cm in diameter and young thin ones of 0.5~1.0cm in diameter.[Conclusions] Contents of alkaloids in Sophora flavescens plants will keep stabilization in mature plants although the plants still grow;Oxymatrine is more than matrine in most organs of Sophora flavescens;Seeds and stems are appropriate organs for matrine extraction.