Aim To explore the effect of valsartan on arterial compliance and indexes associated with apoptosis in aging rat and its possible action mechanism. Methods The healthy Wistar rat were divided into young group,aging group and valsartan group to detect malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)level aorta plasma,and measure the compliance of rat carotid segment by constant liquid injection.Immunohistochemistry,RT-PCR and Western-Blot were used to analyze the expression of apoptosis-association genes B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2)、Cysteinylasparate specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3). Results Compared with the aging group,malondialdehyde concentration in valsartan group evidently declined(p<0.05),but superoxide dismutase markedly ascended(p<0.05).The carotid flexibility increased,especially flexibility area were significantly different(p<0.05).The percentage of Bcl-2 positive cell increased(p<0.05),but the percentage of Caspase-3 positive cell decreased(p<0.05).Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression increased markedly(p<0.05),but Caspase-3 protein expression decreased evidently(p<0.01). Conclusions Vascular aging has its special physiologic function changes.One of its molecular mechanism might be associated with decreasing the expression level of Bcl-2 and increasing Caspase-3 protein.Valsartan may protect vascular from aging through up-regulating Bcl-2 gene expression and inhibiting Caspase-3 activation.