Objective:To observe the effects of sodium tanshinone Ⅱ A sulfonate(STS)on angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced hypertrophy of myocardial cells through the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(P-ERK1/2).Methods:In the primary culture of neonatal rat myocardial cells.the total protein content in myocardial cells was determined by coomassie brilliant blue and the protein synthesis rate was measured by[3H]-Leucine incorporation as indexes for hypertrophy of myocardial cells.The expression of p-ERK1/2 was determined using West blot and immunofluorescence Iabeling.Results:(1)The totaI protein and protein synthesis rate increased significantly in contrast to the control group after the myocardial cells were stimulated by Ang Ⅱ (1 μmol/L)for 24 h;STS markedly inhibited the increment of the total protein level induced by Ang Ⅱ and the syntheses of protein.(2)After pretreatment of myocardial cells with Ang Ⅱ(1 μ mol/L)for 5 min,the p-ERK1/2 protein expression was increased,with the most obvious effect shown at about 10 min;pretreatment of myocardial cells with STS at different doses(2,10,50 μ mol/L)for 30 min resulted in obvious inhibition of the expression of p-ERK1/2 stimulated by Ang Ⅱ in a dose-dependent manner.(3)After the myocardial cells were stimulated by Ang Ⅱ(1 μ mol/L),the immunofluorescence of ERK1/2 rapidly appeared in the nucleus.The activation and translocation process of ERK1/2 induced by Ang Ⅱ was blocked distinctly by STS.Conclusion:STS inhibited the myocardial cell hypertrophy induced by Ang Ⅱ,and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of p-ERK1/2 expression.