Objective: To study the effect of paeonol (Pae) on ventricular remodeling and levels of nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)p65 and interleukin(IL)-1 mRNA in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Method: The myocardial infarction (MI) model of Wistar rat was induced by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats were randomly distributed into five groups

they are model group

low-dose Pae group

middle-dose Pae group

high-dose Pae group(4

6

8 mg·kg-1·d-1) and captopril group(10 mg·kg-1·d-1). Moreover

sham-operated group without ligation. After 4 weeks treatment of paeonol，the hemodynamic changes in rats were determined. The mRNA levels of NF-κB p65 and IL-1 were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: Compared with shame-operated group

the left ventricular systolic pressure(LVEDP) of model group increased significantly (P<0.05). With intervention of Pae the heart function improved obviously. And then LVSP

the maximum left ventricular pressure rising and dropping rates (±dp/dtmax) were increased significantly (P<0.05)

while the left ventricular end diastolic pressure LVEDP decreased significantly (P<0.05). Besides

the mRNA levels of NF-κB p65 and IL-1 in the middle dose Pae and high-dose Pae groups were declined sharply (P<0.05). Conclusion: Pae could prevent and treat ventricular remodeling in rats with myocardial infraction efficiently

which maybe related to the inhibition of expression of the mRNA levels of NF-κB p65 and IL-1

and the suppressing of NF-κB pathway.