The present invention provides, among other things, methods of treating a muscular dystrophy including administering to a subject suffering from or susceptible to a muscular dystrophy an angiotensin (1-7) peptide. The present invention is, in part, based on the unexpected discovery that administration of an angiotensin (1-7) peptide in a muscular dystrophy animal model reduces fibrosis, restores locomotor activity and restores sympathovagal balance, which are characteristic symptoms in patients suffering from muscular dystrophy. Thus, the present invention provides a new and more effective therapy for muscular dystrophy. In some embodiments, an angiotensin (1-7) peptide includes the naturally occurring angiotensin (1-7) amino acid sequence of Asp1-Arg2-Val3-Tyr4-lle5 -His6-Pro7 (SEQID NO:1). In some embodiments, the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is a functional equivalent of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the linear peptide has an amino acid sequence of Asp1-Arg2-Val3-Ser4-lle5-H'is6-Cys7 (SEQ ID NO:2). In some embodiments, the cyclic peptide is a 4,7-cyclized angiotensin (1-7).