Abstract: OBJECTIVE To introduce advances in research of matrine and its derivates. METHODS Based on the correlative materials from documents, the synthesis and pharmacology of matrine and its derivates had been briefly summarized. The structure-activity relationship of some matrine derivates was included. RESULTS & CONCLUSION Many bioactivities of matrine derivates have been improved greatly, such as antitumor, antisepsis, anti-inflammation and analgesicis.