ABSTRACT
Objectives: To clarify the antiarrhythmia mechanism of matrine by observing its effects on intracellular calcium concentration in cultured myocardial cells of SD rats. Methods: Myocardial cells of newborn(sucking) rats were fed with culture medium supplemented with verapamil、 potassium chloride and different dose of matrine, respectively. By means of the image analysis system, intensity changes of intracellular calcium were determined with the fluorescent probe to estimate indirectly inward calcium influx under the influence of matrine. Results: It was found that high potassium caused an increase in fluorescent intensity of intracellular calcium which could be inhibited by matrine. Conclusion: It is suggested that matrine may be a kind of calcium antagonium producing its antiarrhythmic action.