Objective To observe the protective effect of Panaxadiol Saponins (PDS)on rabbit heart failure model induced by acute alcohol infusion, and to explore its action mechanism of protecting myocardium. Methods 1 5 healthy rabbits were randomly divided into control group, model group and PDS group, 5 rabbits in each group.The rabbits in control group were given 0.2 g·mL-1 saline by intravenous drip at constant speed,the rabbits in model group were given 20% ethanol with same method, and the rabbits in PDS group were given 0.025 g·kg-1 PDS by intravenous injection before intravenous drip of 20% ethanol.The hemodynamic changes were observed by ventricular intubation;the levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB)were determined by colormetric method.The level of malondialdehyde (MDA)in myocardial tissue homogenate,the activities of superoxide dismutase (T-SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)and catalase (CAT)were also detected.Results Compared with control group,the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP)of the rabbits in model group was significantly decreased at 30 min(P<0.05);the serum LDH,CK and CKMB levels were increased(P<0.05),the MDA level in myocardial tissue homogenate was increased(P<0.05),and the T-SOD,GSH-Px and CAT activities were decreased (P<0.05).Compared with model group,the LVEDP of the rabbits in PDS group was increased,the serum LDH,CK,and CKMB levels were decreased(P<0.05),the MDA level was decreased(P<0.05),and the activities of T-SOD,GSH-Px and CAT were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion PDS has protective effect on heart failure induced by acute alcohol infusion,and its mechanism may be related to the improvement of cardiac peroxidation.