Oxymatrine, an alkaloid extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens, has been investigated for its potential use in treating colitis, particularly in preclinical models. Several animal studies have shown that oxymatrine can reduce inflammation and tissue damage in experimental colitis models, such as dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. These studies suggest that oxymatrine exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pathways like NF-κB and reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β). Some research also indicates that oxymatrine may improve intestinal barrier function and modulate immune responses, further supporting its potential benefit in the context of colitis.

However, the majority of the evidence comes from animal studies, with only limited data from human clinical trials. There are a few small-scale clinical investigations in China reporting symptomatic improvement in patients with ulcerative colitis, but these studies typically have methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of blinding, or inadequate controls. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some preclinical and early clinical evidence supporting oxymatrine’s use in colitis, robust, high-quality human studies are lacking. Therefore, the current level of evidence is moderate (rated 3/5), and oxymatrine should not be considered a proven or first-line therapy for colitis, but rather an investigational compound with potential.