The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of pretreatment with Danshensu (DSS) on rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) senescence and the underlying mechanisms. Cultured RAECs at fourth and twelfth passages were taken as young and old groups, respectively. DSS and DSS+nicotinamide (DSS+N) groups were incubated with DSS and DSS in combination with nicotinamide, an inhibitor of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), from the fourth to twelfth passage, respectively. The cell status of senescence was determined by the senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA ß-gal) staining, and 4,6-diamino-2-phenyl indole (DAPI) fluorescent dye was used to detect senescence associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF) formation; Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and colorimetric methods were used to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2contents; Western blot was employed to analysis the expressions of xanthine oxidase (XOD), SIRT1 and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the RAECs. The results showed that, in comparison with young group, the old group exhibited higher SA ß-gal positive and SAHF formation rates, as well as higher MDA and H2O2levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas DSS pretreatment reduced SA ß-gal positive and SAHF formation rates, decreased MDA and H2O2 contents (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The protection of DSS was reversed by nicotinamide. Compared with the young group, the old group showed higher expression levels of XOD, but lower SIRT1 and SOD2expression levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). With the pretreatment of DSS, the expression of XOD was declined, and the expression levels of SIRT1 and SOD2were elevated, while nicotinamide reversed the effects of DSS. These results suggest that DSS delays senescence of RAECs via up-regulation of SIRT1.