Objective: To investigate the effect of ligustilide (LIG) on angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)-induced cardiac myocytes hypertrophy and its mechanism in neonatal rats. Method: Myocardial cells of SD rats were isolated and purified for primary culture. The cultured myocardial cells were induced by AngⅡ (0.5 mg·L-1) and treated with LIG (various concentrations:20

40

80 mg·L-1) for 1 to 3 days. Another blank group was established. Then the cells morphology was observed under inverted microscope and the cells surface area was determined. Total intracellular protein levels were detected by using commercial BCA protein kit and the rate of apoptosis was determined by flow cytometer. The protein expression levels of p53

Bcl-2 and Bax in myocardial cells were determined by Western blot. Result: As compared with the blank group

the cell morphology was obviously changed after exposure to AngⅡ; hypertrophy effect was present in myocardial cells

the cells surface area

total protein levels

and apoptosis rate were increased significantly (P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of p53 and Bax were increased significantly

and the protein expression level of Bcl-2 was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). As compared with AngⅡ alone group

the combination effect of LIG with different concentrations and AngⅡ can ameliorate the AngⅡ-induced hypertrophy of neonatal rat myocardial cells

the cells surface area

total protein levels and apoptosis rate were decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Conclusion: LIG can inhibit the AngⅡ-induced hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes

and reduce the apoptosis rate maybe by inducing Bcl-2 protein expression and inhibiting p53 and Bax protein expressions.