Oxymatrine has a variety of effects in vitro and in animal models, including protection against apoptosis, tumor and fibrotic tissue development, and inflammation.

Additionally, excessive amounts of collagen in the ventricles lead to alterations in gene expression, deposition of extracellular matrix, wall thickening, and ventricular remodeling in a manner that promotes dysfunction.

[12] In rats, oxymatrine also inhibits the expression of the Smad3 ligand which binds to TGF-β1 type I and activates the signal transduction pathway.

By inhibiting this pathway, less collagen was produced and deposited in the heart, preventing the formation of cardiac fibrosis.

In a 2010 study, Oxymatrine was shown to inhibit the development of morphine-induced tolerance associated with decreased expression of P-glycoprotein in rats.