Oxymatrine (Quinolizidine N-Oxide · Hepatoprotective · Anti-fibrotic)

Compound	Oxymatrine
Chemical class	Alkaloid — Quinolizidine N-Oxide (Matrine N-Oxide)
CAS	16837-52-8
Primary source	Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen / bitter ginseng root)
Key applications	Hepatoprotective (HBV), anti-fibrotic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Sophora flavescens extract (matrine + oxymatrine combined fraction)
Buy from Herbuno	Request availability and bulk pricing →

Commercial source: Oxymatrine is commercially available as a standardised constituent of Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen) root extract from specialist suppliers, typically specified alongside matrine as combined alkaloid content. Isolated oxymatrine is available at high purity from specialist chemical suppliers. Contact Herbuno for availability. Traditional use: Shares Sophora flavescens’ traditional use context with matrine — anti-inflammatory skin conditions, viral hepatitis support, GI infections, and anti-inflammatory applications in TCM. Oxymatrine is the N-oxide metabolite of matrine and co-occurs with it in Ku Shen root at typically higher concentrations than matrine itself in the fresh root. Research trajectory: Oxymatrine has attracted specific research interest beyond matrine for its anti-fibrotic activity (particularly hepatic fibrosis reversal), immunomodulatory mechanisms (Th1/Th2 balance), and superior water solubility compared to matrine. Chinese clinical use of oxymatrine injection for chronic HBV is more developed than matrine injection, and oxymatrine has been studied in small human trials for autoimmune conditions. See sourcing options below.

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Evidence for Oxymatrine Applications

Hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic (HBV context): Oxymatrine is more studied clinically than matrine for HBV management. Chinese RCTs and systematic reviews of oxymatrine injection (and oral preparations) show HBV viral load reduction, HBeAg seroconversion improvement, and ALT normalisation in chronic HBV patients. Anti-fibrotic activity via TGF-β pathway inhibition and hepatic stellate cell suppression is well-characterised in preclinical models. Claim strength: Moderate.

Immunomodulatory — Th1/Th2 balance: Oxymatrine modulates T-helper cell polarisation toward Th1 dominance, enhancing cellular immunity while reducing Th2-driven allergic and antibody responses. This immunomodulatory profile is relevant to viral infection resistance (Th1-dependent) and atopic/allergic condition management. Human clinical evidence is limited. Claim strength: Moderate (mechanism well-characterised; human evidence limited to Chinese trials).

Cardiac anti-arrhythmic: Oxymatrine blocks sodium and calcium channels in cardiac electrophysiology models, reducing arrhythmia susceptibility. Chinese clinical data from cardiology contexts support anti-arrhythmic applications. Claim strength: Moderate.

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

Chinese pharmaceutical oxymatrine injection: 300–600 mg/day IV for hepatitis applications. Oral supplement contexts: 100–300 mg/day oxymatrine equivalent from Sophora flavescens extract. Combined matrine + oxymatrine specification (total alkaloids) at 100–400 mg/day is the practical supplement dosing approach.

Oxymatrine is more water-soluble than matrine (N-oxide group improves aqueous solubility). This makes oxymatrine-enriched extracts more appropriate for aqueous formulation contexts. In vivo, oxymatrine is converted to matrine by gut bacteria (reduction of the N-oxide), and matrine can be N-oxidised to oxymatrine by hepatic flavin-containing monooxygenases. The two compounds therefore form an in vivo metabolic pair, and combined specification is pharmacologically rational.

Contact Herbuno for dedicated Sophora flavescens alkaloid extract availability and oxymatrine content specifications.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Oxymatrine

Is oxymatrine more effective than matrine for liver protection?
Clinical evidence from Chinese hepatology trials favours oxymatrine slightly over matrine for HBV-related liver protection, possibly due to its better water solubility and injectable pharmaceutical formulation development (which has enabled more rigorous trial infrastructure for oxymatrine). Preclinically, the two compounds have highly overlapping hepatoprotective mechanisms, and the clinical difference may reflect formulation and delivery differences rather than intrinsic pharmacological superiority.

Does oxymatrine have the same safety profile as matrine?
Yes — oxymatrine and matrine have comparable safety profiles at equivalent doses, with oxymatrine potentially having marginally lower acute toxicity in some animal models (the N-oxide is a less reactive form). At typical supplement doses from Sophora extract, both compounds have favourable safety records from Chinese clinical use. The same high-dose precautions (respiratory and cardiac effects at toxic doses far exceeding supplement use) apply to both.

Is there evidence for oxymatrine in autoimmune or allergic conditions?
Small Chinese clinical studies have explored oxymatrine for inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, and psoriasis — leveraging its Th1/Th2 immunomodulatory mechanism. Results are preliminary. The anti-inflammatory skin activity for psoriasis and eczema is one of the more clinically explored applications beyond HBV hepatology. Position as “studied to support healthy inflammatory balance and immune modulation” consistent with the evidence level.

Can oxymatrine be included in a comprehensive liver health formula with other hepatoprotective botanicals?
Yes — oxymatrine (anti-fibrotic, antiviral, NF-κB inhibition) complements silymarin (hepatocyte membrane stabilisation), schisandrin (hepatoprotective adaptogen), and corilagin (antiviral, anti-fibrotic) in a multi-mechanism liver health formulation. Each compound addresses distinct aspects of hepatic protection, and no adverse interactions between them are documented. This type of comprehensive botanical liver formula aligns with the multi-herb TCM tradition of liver support.

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Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

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