Objective To explore the possible mechanism of herb combination of Fuzi（Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata

附子）; Huangqi（Radix Astragali

黄芪）; Tinglizi（Semen Lepidii

葶苈子） in the treatment of heart failure. Methods Seventy-five SD rats were randomly divided into blank group

model group

herb combination group

astragaloside Ⅳ group and trimetazidine group

with 15 rats in each group. The model of heart failure was established through intraperitoneally injection with adriamycin hydrochloride for six weeks in all rats except for the blank group. Since the second week after modelling

herb combination aqueous solution 15 g/（kg·d） were administered by gavage in herb combination group; trimetazidine hydrochloride aqueous solution 10 mg/（kg·d） and astragaloside Ⅳ aqueous solution 1 g/（kg·d） were given by gavage to trimetazidine group and astragaloside Ⅳ group

respectively; for blank group and model group

2 mL double distilled water by gavage was administered; all intragastric gavage was performed once daily

for 6 weeks. The serum brain natriuretic peptide（BNP） level

cardiac function indicators

changes of mitochondrial membrane potential in myocardial tissues

and the expression of proteins and mRNA of cardiomyocytes calmodulin sodium-calcium exchanger（NCX1） and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca

2+

-ATPase 2（SERCA2） were assessed. Results Compared to the blank group

the serum BNP level of the model group significantly increased; the cardiac function and the percentage of unreduced myocardial mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased; the expression levels of NCX1 protein and mRNA increased; and the expression levels of SERCA2 protein and mRNA decreased（P

<

0.01）. All above mentioned outcomes were obviously improved in astragaloside Ⅳ group

trimetazidine group

and herb combination group when compared to the model group（P

<

0.01）

and the most improvement in the percentage of unreduced myocardial mitochondrial membrane potential

and mRNA expression of NCX1 and SERCA2 were found of herb combination group than astragaloside Ⅳ group and trimetazidine group（P

<

0.01）. Conclusion herb combination can stabilize the myocardial mitochondrial membrane potential

improve the mitochondrial function of cardiomyocytes

and regulate the balance of NCX1 and SERCA2 expression

thereby improving cardiac function of rats with heart failure.