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Common Name(s): Sophocarpine,sophocarpine,quinolizidine alkaloid,anti-inflammatory active
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides quinolizidine alkaloid anti-inflammatory activity through nf-kb and mapk pathway inhibition, with anti-pruritic activity through trpv1 channel modulation.
Why It's Used: Sophocarpine is selected for its quinolizidine scaffold anti-inflammatory mechanism — the alkaloid provides a distinct nf-kb inhibition mechanism from conventional polyphenol or terpenoid anti-inflammatories, with clinical validation in atopic and inflammatory skin conditions.
How It Works: Sophocarpine → nf-kb p65 nuclear translocation inhibition → reduced tnf-α/il-1β/il-6; trpv1 modulation → reduced itch signal; mapk jnk inhibition → keratinocyte normalisation.
Typically Found In: Anti-inflammatory,sensitive skin,anti-itch
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.05%–2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Sophocarpine is the pharmacologically active alkaloid in sophora extracts — standardisation to sophocarpine content is the quality marker for this ingredient class.
Last Verified: 2026-03-22
Primary Sources: Cosing database,sophocarpine quinolizidine alkaloid anti-inflammatory review