ABSTRACT
Object To study the influence of main active principles of ZHIGANCAO DECOCTIDN (ZD), glycyrrhizic acid (GA), ginseng total saponin (GTS) and Ophiopogon total saponin (OTS) on electrophysiology of isolated rat myocardium Methods The influence of GA, GTS and OTS on the automaticity, excitability and functional refractory period of isolated rat atrium and papillary muscle were studied in comparison with ZD made free of the above said active ingredients Results The combine use of GA, GTS and OTS significantly decreased the automaticity, inhibited excitaibility and prolonged the functional refractory period of isolated rat atrium; decreased the automaticity and arrhythmia of papillary muscle induced by epinephrine, while ZD made free of GS, GTS and OTS showed much less effect than the intact decoction Conclusion GA, GTS and OTS proved to be the main effective ingredients responsible for the antiarrhythmic activity of ZD