To observe the dynamic changes of TGF-β1 and MMP-9 in the airway remodeling of asthma rat model and explore the mechanism of salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) in intervening airway remodeling. Methods: Seventy healthy adult male rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, asthma model group (subdivided into two-week asthmatic group, four-week asthmatic group and eight-week asthmatic group) and salvia miltiorrhiza group (subdivided into two-week salvia miltiorrhiza group, four-week salvia miltiorrhiza group, and eight-week salvia miltiorrhiza group) with a total of seven groups with 10 rats in each. Asthmatic airway remodeling rats model was established with ovalbumin and Al(OH)3, and rats were observed 2, 4 and 8 weeks after induced model respectively. The pathological changes of the lung tissue were observed. The level of TGF-β1 and MMP-9 in lung tissue was detected by ELISA. Results: Airway inflammatory cells infiltrated in airway tissue and the thickness of bronchial smooth muscle increased. With the prolongation of the stimulating time, TGF-β1 and MMP-9 level increased gradually in the asthma model group. Compared with the normal control group, there were significant differences (P<0.05, P<0.001) in the four-week asthmatic group and eight-week asthmatic group. After salvia miltiorrhiza was applied, the TGF-β1 and MMP-9 level decreased. Compared with the eight-week asthmatic group, there were significant differences (P<0.001) in the eight-week salvia miltiorrhiza group. Conclusion: The changes of airway remodeling in asthma are dynamic process and TGF-β1and MMP-9 may intervene in the changes of airway remodeling process. Salvia miltiorrhiza improve the state of airway remodeling in asthmatic rats by inhibiting the level of TGF-β1 and MMP-9.