Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate (STS) on angiotensin II (Ang II) -induced cardiac fibrosis in rats and potential mechanisms. Methods Rat model of cardiac fibrosis was established through constant introduction of Ang II delivered byosmotic pump.Totally 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, Ang II group, low-dose STS group, medium-dose STS group and highdose STS group. STS were administered for three consecutive weeks. H&E and Masson’s trichrome staining were performedfor morphological analysis. Expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, Collagen I & III, antioxidant enzymes and phase II enzymes were examined with qRT-PCR and Western blot. Malondialdehyde, glutathioneand superoxide dismutase activity in cardiac tissues were identified. Results STS treatment attenuated Ang II-induced cardiac fibrosis. STS stimulatednuclear translocation of Nrf2 in a dose-dependent manner, promoting the transcription of antioxidant and phase II enzymes. Enhanced anti-oxidative activities contributed to cellular protection against oxidative stress. Conclusion STS attenuates Ang II-induced cardiac fibrosis by manipulating Nrf2 mediated antioxidation signaling pathway.