Aim Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) and lignum dalbergiae odoriferae (DO) are both traditional Chinese medicine that have cardioprotective effects.Here, we further examined the combined effects of SM and DO on rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.The possible mechanism of SM and DO also were elucidated.Methods DO was divided into aqueous extract of lignum dalbergiae odoriferae (DOW) and lignum dalbergiae odoriferae oil(DOO).SpragueDawley rats were randomized to seven groups : sham group, model group, treatment groups including SM (10 g · kg1), DOW (5 g · kg1), DOO (0.5 ml · kg1), SM +DOW (10 g · kg1 +5 g · kg1),SM + DOO (10 g · kg1 +0.5 ml · kg1).Rats were pretreated with homologous drug for 7 days and then subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by 180 min of reperfusion.Electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate were monitored and recorded continuously.At the end of reperfusion, blood samples were collected to determine the serum levels of creatine kinaseMB (CKMB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).Hearts were harvested to assess heartbody rate, infarct size and histopathological changes as well.Maximum and minimum effective points were determined by measuring indicators associate with myocardial injury at different timepoints of reperfusion (5min,15min, 30min, 45min, 60min, 120min, 180min).The potential therapeutic mechanism of SM and SM + DOO were carried out by detecting superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factoralpha(TNFalpha) and interleukin 6 (IL6).Results The results showed SM and DO can ameliorate cardiac function respectively, and this cardioprotective effect was further strengthened by their combinations.Among all the combinations, SM + DOO showed predominant potential to improve ECG and heart rate, reduce heartbody rate (28.5 %± 1.4% , P < 0.01 vs model) and myocardial infarct size (20.96%± 1.61%, P < 0.01 vs model, P < 0.05 vs SM), attenuate histopathological damage, decrease the levels of CKMB and LDH(P < 0.01 vs model, P < 0.05 vs SM).The maximum effective points of SM and SM + DOO were 15min and 30min respectively, and the minimum effective points of them were 180min.In reducing serum level of MDA, TNFalpha, IL6 and increasing SOD activity, SM + DOO was similar to SM.Conclusion The results of this study indicated that SM + DOO have combined effects that are highly effective than single pretreatment against myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury in rats.The possible mechanism of SM and DO were likely through its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, and thus may be an effective and promising medicine for both prophylaxis and treatment of ischemic heart disease.