Objective: To investigate the protective effects of oxymatrine (OMT) on myocardial remodeling after acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in rats. Method: AMI was reproduced in male SD rats by ligation of the left coronary artery. The survived rats were randomly divided into five groups as following: model group

OMT50

25

12.5 mg·kg-1 OMT

50 mg·kg-1 captopril

and sham group which was treated as the model group except the operation of arteria coranaria ligation. After eight weeks ligation

the cardiac function was assayed by hemodynamics parameters

the degree of myocardial remodeling was analyzed by cardiac weight indexes

ventricles remodeling parameters and the content of hydroxyproline. Result: The cardiac functions of rats in model group were significantly exacerbated. Cardiac weight parameter

entricular remodeling parameters

and contents of hydroxyproline in ventricule were significantly increased that means degree of myocardial remodeling is increased. After continuous administration of OMT for 8 weeks

the cardiac functions of the rats in OMT group were significantly ameliorated

and the degree of myocardial remodeling was significantly alleviated. Conclusion: OMT could ameliorate the experimental myocardial remodeling induced by AMI in rats.