Objective: To explore the protection effects of total flavones from Taraxaci Herba(TF) on rats with viral myocarditis. Method :Fifty male BAIB/c mice were randomly divided into control group

model group

ribavirin group

TF low dose group(25 mg ·kg-1)

medium dose group(50mg ·kg-1)and high dose group(100mg ·kg-1).The mice in model group and therapy group were inoculated with CVB3.At 1st

3rd

7th

9th and 14th d

a part of the mice were killed

ardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by the immunohistochemical technique and caspase-8 expression was detected by TUNEL staining method. Result: As compared with control group

the level of ardiomyocyte apoptosis in model group showed elevation. These indexes were obviously improved in treatment group

ribavirin group was and those in TF medium

high dose groups were accordingly. The positive cell expression in model group was incressed significantly after inoculation it reached the peak at 7th d(27.2±1.17)％

and then declined

it was (9.2±1.17)% on the 14th d

which showed significantly elevation compared with control group

All of these indexes were obviously improved in treatment groups:ribavirin group was and those in TF medium and high dose groups were

respectively. Conclution:TFD has a protective effect on ardiomyocyte in mice with viral myocarditis.