Inhibition of matrine on potassium currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM To elucidate the possible antiarrhythmic mechanism of matrine. METHODS Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record ionic currents in ventricular myocytes. RESULTS In guinea pig ventricular myocytes, matrine 100 μmol·L-1 prolonged 90% action potential duration (APD90) by 40% at a stimulation of 0.1 Hz in a frequency-independent manner, inhibited IK1 by 47% at the test potential of -120 mV, reduced IKr,tail by 50% and had no effect on IKs,tail. CONCLUSION Matrine prolonged APD through blockade of multiple potassium currents, which may relate to its antiarrhythmic efficacy.