Comparative study of herbs of Yuxingcao,Paojiang and Fuzi on ventricular remodeling induced by high pressure in rats / 中成药

ABSTRACT

AIM: To compare the effects of Yuxingcao(Herba houttuyniae),Paojiang(Radix aconiti lateralis praeparata) and Fuzi(Rhizoma Zingiberis recens(blastfried)) on ventricular remodeling induced by high pressure in rats. METHODS: Ventricular remodeling model was induced by constriction of abdominal aorta in rats.After 1 week,the model rats were divided randomly into 5 groups,such as model control,captopril,Yuxingcao,Paojiang and Fuzi.In addition,a sham-operated group was designed.The rats were given per oral captopril,Yuxingcao,Paojiang and Fuzi respectively for consecutive 3 weeks.Rats in sham-operated group and model control group were treated with distilled water.The blood pressure was measured.The ratio of LVW/BW,HW/BW was calculated as an index indicating the grade of ventricular hypertrophy.The contents of AngⅡ,ET in heart tissue and blood level of aldosterone(ALD) were determined by radio-immunoassay.The myocardium collagen volume fraction(CVF),perivascular circumferential area(PVCA) and the content of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen were determined by histological assay using the picric acid/sirius red stain.The expression of protein kinase C(PKC) was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Yuxingcao could lower the blood pressure and the ratio of LVW/BW,HW/BW;reduce the level of AngⅡ,ET in myocardium and ALD in blood serum,decrease myocardium CVF,PVCA and the content of type Ⅰ,Ⅲ collagen,and inhibit the expression of PKC.Paojiang did not show obvious effects mentioned above,neither did Fuzi,except that it decreased the level of AngⅡ in myocardium. CONCLUSION: Yuxingcao,the herb with cool nature,can attenuate the ventricular remodeling,and inhibit the over-activity of neuroendocrine factor release.Paojiang and Fuzi,the herbs with hot nature,fail to show that.