Objective This article was designed to observe the effects of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on glucose and lipid metabolism, and on expressions of proxisome proliferator activated receptors-α (PPAR-α) and its downstream genes in diabetic hamsters cardiomyopathy. Methods Forty-five hamsters were divided into 3 groups randomly: normal control group (15 normal hamsters), diabetic control group [15 streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic hamsters], and astragalus polysaccharides (APS)-therapy group (15 STZ-induced diabetic hamsters administered with APS 2 g/kg per day orally for 10 weeks). The levels of insulin, C-peptide, myocardial enzymes, glycosylated serum protein (GSP) and lipoprotein of all hamsters were measured. The ultrastructure of myocardium was studied, and the gene and protein expressions of PPAR-α, FATP and ACS were also detected by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Results It was shown that Compared with DM group, the levels of GSP, myocardial enzymes and lipoprotein of hamsters in APS-therapy group were lower, the myocardial ultrastructure of hamsters in APS-therapy group was well-protected, and the gene and protein expression of PPAR-α, FATP and ACS of hamsters in APS-therapy group were higher. Conclusions APS is partly effective in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy.