\[Abstract\]ObjectiveTo study the effect of puerarin (Pue) on hypertrophy and apoptosis of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by isoproterenol(ISO). MethodsCardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were cultured in vitro and were treated with ISO(10-5mol/L), Pue(10-6mol/L), ISO(10-5mol/L)+ Pue(10-6mol/L), or ISO(10-5mol/L)+propranolol (Pro, 2×10-6 mol/L); untreated cells were taken as control. The total protein content, cardiomyocyte volume, protein synthesis and apoptosis rate of the cardiomyocytes were investigated. ResultsCompared with the control group, ISO significantly increased the total protein content, cardiomyocyte volume and apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes (P<0.01).Similar to Pro, Pue inhibited the above changes induced by ISO. ConclusionPue can inhibit the hypertrophy and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by ISO, which might be one of the reasons for the protective effect of Pue against myocardial hypertrophy.