To study the effect of Zhenwu Decoction on the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in the rat model of chronic heart failure induced by adriamycin.Methods:Twenty-four SD rats were assigned into a blank group，a model group，a metoprolol group，and a Zhenwu Decoction group.Chronic heart failure model was established by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin.After 7 weeks of drug administration，the cardiac function indicators ［left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening(LVFS)］ were examined by a color doppler ultrasound instrument.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax) in the myocardial tissue.Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of Bax，Bcl-2，and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) in the myocardial tissue.Results:Compared with the blank group，the modeling lowered the LVEF and LVFS(P<0.01).Compared with the model group，Zhenwu Decoction elevated LVEF and LVFS(P<0.01)，lowered the serum level of Bax and down-regulated the protein level of Bax(P<0.01)，elevated the serum level of Bcl-2 and up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2(P<0.01)，and down-regulated the protein level of MMP-9(P<0.01).Conclusion:Zhenwu Decoction can regulate the apoptosis factors of cardiomyocytes and thus improve the cardiac function of rats.