Objectives Regular consumption of moderate amounts of Chinese yellow wine is associated with a reduced risk of coronary disease.Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that participate in extracellular matrix degradation have been involved in atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability. The present research aimed to study the effects of Chinese yellow wine on the production of homocysteineinduced extracellular MMP-2 in cultured rats’ vascular smooth muscle cells. Methods The effects of different homocysteine levels (0-1000 μmol/l) on MMP-2 production, and the effects of Chinese yellow wine with low alcohol concentrations (12-19% ) on homocysteine-induced MMP-2 in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were examined using gelatin zymography and west blotting. The changes of MMP-2 under various treatments for 12h, 24h and 48 h were further compared. Results Homocysteine (50-1000 μmol/l) increased the production of MMP-2 significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Increased production of MMP-2 induced by homocysteine was reduced by extracellularly added Chinese yellow wine.Production of MMP-2 under various treatments for 48 h increased more than 12 h and 24 h. Conclusions Extracellularly added Chinese yellow wine decreased homocysteine-induced MMP-2 secretion. The inhibitory effect of yellow wine on the activation of MMP-2 might contribute to their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.