To investigate the effects of different doses of aconite decoction on mice with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods:Fifty-three healthy male C57/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group,a model group,and low,middle,and high-dose aconite decoction groups.CHF mouse models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin(Dox).The mice were treated with aconite decoction at different concentrations(0.2,0.6,2 mg/kg) via intragastric administration once daily for 30 consecutive days.The survival rate and general indexes were recorded,cardiac function was evaluated,and histopathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed.Serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) and cardiac troponin I(cTnI) were detected.The mRNA expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) and BNP were detected.Additionally,expression levels of activated aspartate-specific caspase(cleaved-caspase-3) and apoptotic protein Bax(Bcl2-associated X protein,Bax) were detected.Results:Compared with the model group,the cardiac function of mice in all aconite decoction groups improved(P<0.05),with the most significant improvement observed in the high-dose aconite decoction group,as indicated by an increase in myocardial tissue cross-section.Serum BNP and cTnI levels decreased(P<0.05).The mRNA expression level of BNP and the protein expression levels of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Aconite decoction inhibits myocardial cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner,reduces the changes in cardiac function and pathological structure in mice,and thereby improves Dox-induced CHF.