Abstract: Objective: To observe the protective effect of gypenosides (Gps) on adriamycin (ADR) induced acute cardiotoxicity in rats.Methods: Rats in Gps group received gypenosides 200 mg/kg orally twice a day for five days.In the meanwhile, the saline was given to ADR group and normal rats as controls.At the sixth day, the acute heart toxicity was induced by intraperifoneal injecting ADR (10 mg/kg).Subsequently, the functions of cardiac muscle, such as left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and left verfricle maximal rates of pressure development and decline (+dp/dt_max), as well as the activity of SOD and content of MDA were measured.Results: LVSP, +dp/dt_max and the activity of SOD in rats of ADR group were significantly lower, and the content of MDA was higher than those in controls (P<0.01).LVSP, +dp/dt_maxand the activity of SOD in rats of Gps group were significantly higher and the content of MDA was significantly lower than those without giving gypenosides (P<0.05-P<0.01).Conclusions: Gyp secure cardiac muscles and their function from adriamycin impairment.