Aim To explore the effects of a novel H₂S donor （8L） on oxidative stress-induced damage and the mechanisms underlying NF-E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Methods H9c2 cardiomyocytes were treated with exogenous reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide （H₂O₂）, to set up an oxidative injury to mimic the in vitro status induced by acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Prior to the treatment with H₂O₂, the cells were treated with 8L and then its protective action was investigated. In order to test the roles of Nrf2, its selective inhibitor brusatol （BR） was used before H₂O₂ or 8L. Cell counting kit-8 was used to measure cell viability. Lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release was assessed by a commercial kit, mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） was observed by rhodamine 123 staining followed by photofluorography and nuclear Nrf2 expression was examined by Western Blot assay. Results