Matrine |

Last updated: 24/08/2025
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(Also known as: alpha-matrine; sophocarpidine) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A natural plant alkaloid, derived from wild medical plants which is active against several pest arthropods |
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Aphids; Carmine spider mite; Apple & various leaf mites; Leek maggot; Grubs; Wireworms; Cutowrms; Diamondback moth; Caterpillars |
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Glass house crops; Crucifers |
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Matrine-based biopesticides have demonstrated acaricidal and insecticidal activity in both field and laboratory studies. |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Matrine exhibits extensive stereoisomerism, including both optical and geometrical isomerism, due to its complex ring system and multiple chiral centres. |
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C₁₅H₂₄N₂O |
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C1CC2C3CCCN4C3C(CCC4)CN2C(=O)C1 |
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C1C[C@@H]2[C@H]3CCCN4[C@H]3[C@@H](CCC4)CN2C(=O)C1 |
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ZSBXGIUJOOQZMP-JLNYLFASSA-N |
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InChI=1S/C15H24N2O/c18-14-7-1-6-13-12-5-3-9-16-8-2-4-11(15(12)16)10-17(13)14/h11-13,15H,1-10H2/t11-,12+,13+,15-/m0/s1 |
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Yes |
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams |
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Common Name |
Relationship |
Link |
matrine |
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Insecticide; Nematicide; Other substance |
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Bactericide |
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Plant-derived substance |
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>98% |
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- |
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Natural |
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Acts on insect pest central nervous system causing breath inhibition and motion imbalance. Curative and preventative. |
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A natural plant agent, derived from wild medical plants, such as the roots of (Sophora flavescens leaves of Pterocarya stenoptera and essential oils from leaves of Platycladus orientalis |
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Crop protection |
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Aphids; Carmine spider mite; Apple & various leaf mites; Leek maggot; Grubs; Wireworms; Cutowrms; Diamondback moth; Caterpillars |
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Glass house crops; Crucifers |
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519-02-8 |
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610-750-6 |
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248.36 |
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matridin-15-one |
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(7aS,13aR,13bR,13cS)-dodecahydro-1H,5H,10H-dipyrido[2,1-f:3',2',1'-ij][1,6]naphthyridin-10-one |
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Used in Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory and widely used to treat diseases such as viral hepatitis, cardiac arrhythmia and skin inflammation. |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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White crystalline solid |
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Current |
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- Shenzhen Sendi Biotechnology Co.Ltd.
- Shanghai Standard Technology Co.;Ltd
- Cayman Chemical Company
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- Kingbo AS Botanical Insecticide
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The commercial production of matrine is typically undertaken by extracting it from dried Sophora roots or via biosynthetic pathways starting with lysine, which is transformed into piperidine and then dimerized into quinolizidine, forming the core structure of matrine. |
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77 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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86 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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1.191 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 10000 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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0.0005 |
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source Bombus ignitus & Bombus patagiatus |
High |
B. hypocrita LD₅₀ = 0.002 µg bee⁻¹ |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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> 10000 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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2000 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
No data found |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
No data found |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
No data found |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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Considered safe May exhibit anti-tumour properties |
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Combustible - will release toxic gases in a fire |
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Health: H302, H319, H302 |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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matrine |
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Record last updated: |
24/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |