RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Jiangya Tongmai Recipe (JYTMR), a Chinese herbal medicine preparation for activating blood circulation to remove stasis, on vascular activating substances in treating patients of hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 37 patients with hypertension were randomly divided into two groups, the treated group (n = 21) and the control group (n = 16). They were treated with JYTMR and captopril respectively for 8 weeks. Left ventricular mass weight (LVMI), peak flow velocity of early diastole (Emax), peak flow velocity of atrial contraction (Amax), Emax/Amax, ejection fraction (EF), as well as levels of plasma endothelin (ET), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and angiotensin II (Ang II) were measured before and after treatment and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>JYTMR could enhance the left ventricular dilation and contractile functions, lower the levels of plasma ET and Ang II and increase the level of plasma CGRP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JYTMR shows good effect in improving left ventricular function and regulating vascular activating substances, it could prevent and treat hypertension and its complications for prolonged treatment via multiple paths and links.</p>