OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation, secretion of type Ⅲ collagen, protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), Smad2/3, Smad7, and explore its mechanism of anti-myocardial fibrosis. METHODS: Cells were divided into blank control group (culture medium) Ang Ⅱ model group, Sal B low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose groups (12.5, 25, 50 μmol/L). After cultured 1 h by blank or drug-containing culture, except for blank control group, cells in other groups were added 1 μmol/L Ang Ⅱ to induce proliferation. for 24 h. MTT method and hematoxylin-eosin staining method were adopted investigate the effect of Sal B on proliferation. Western blot method was adopted to detect the effects of Sal B on protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen, MMP-9, Smad2/3, Smad7. RESULTS: Compared with blank control group, cells in Ang Ⅱ model group were significantly proliferated, protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen, MMP-9, Smad2/3 were obviously enhanced, protein expression of Smad7 was obviously weakened, with statistical significances (P<0.05). Compared with Ang Ⅱ model group, the cell proliferation in Sal B groups were inhibited, protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen, MMP-9, Smad2/3 were weakened, while protein expression of Smad7 was enhanced. Except the protein expression of type Ⅲ collagen in Sal B low-dose and medium-dose groups, the protein expression of Smad2/3 in Sal B high-dose group did not change significantly, other indexes had statistical significances (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The anti-myocardial fibrosis effect of Sal B may be associated with inhibiting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts, down-regulating protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen, MMP-9, Smad2/3 and up-regulating protein expression of Smad7.