In conclusion, the results of the present study provided the first demonstration that the long-term consumption of ginseng extract protects intermediate-aged hearts against I/R injury by reducing myocardial infarct size, improving left ventricular function, inhibiting caspase-3/7 activation, decreasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and MDA. Here, CASP3 is linked to myocardial infarction.