Objective: To observe the effects of Anxin Granules (AXG) on the levels of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) and myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF)

and to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism. Method: Fifty female SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal control group (A)

model group (B)

captopril group (C)

low-dose AXG group (D) and high-dose AXG group (E).CHF models were established by intraperitoneal injection of small-dose of adriamycin

once per week for continuous 6 weeks.Meanwhile

group C was injected captopril (6.25 mg ·kg-1·d-1); groups D and E received low-dose AXG (0.8 g ·kg-1·d-1) and high-dose AXG (1.6 g ·kg-1·d-1) ig respectively.After 6 weeks

serum levels of SOD

MDA and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) of different groups were detected. Myocardial cells apoptosis was tested by TUNEL. Apoptosis index (AI) was counted. Result: Compared to group A

the serum levels of MDA

and LVMI

and AI in cardiac muscle were markedly increased in the model group (P<0.01)

the activity of SOD in serum was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in rats model with CHF. AXG decreased the serum levels of MDA

LVMI and AI compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).And the level of SOD was ascended markedly. Conclusion : AXG inhibit apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress.