Objective: To investigate inhibitory effect of oxymatrine (OMT) on proliferation of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) induced by aldosterone (ALD)

and then explore its mechanism. Method: Primary CFs was digested by trypsin with neonatl rats

and then was purified by differential adhension.Expeiremts were designed 4 groups as following:blank group

model group (1×10-7 mol·L-1 of aldosterone)

OMT low-dose group of 3.78×10-4 mol·L-1

OMT high-dose group of 7.57×10-4 mol·L-1.Vimentin of CFs was identified by immunocytochemistry.Inhibitory effect of OMT on CFs proliferation was detected by MTT assay.Real-time PCR was employed to determine mRNA level of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK).Expression of phosphorylation-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) and p38MAPK was analyzed by Western blot. Result: Optimal proliferation of CFs induced by ALD with 1×10-7 mol·L-1 at 24 h.OMT with 7.57×10-4 mol·L-1 could significantly inhibit proliferation of CFs.OMT could not affect expression of p38MAPK mRNA

but it attenuated phosphorylation of p38MAPK induced by ALD. Conclusion: OMT inhibits proliferation of CFs induced by ALD

and its mechanism may be involved in inhibiting phosphorylation of p38MAPK.