ABSTRACT
To investigate the effect of Cornu Cervi Oral Liquid (mainly composed of Cornu Cervi, Fructus Psoraleae, Herba Epimedii, Fructus Corni, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum) in reversing myocardial fibrosis in rats with congestive heart failure caused by pressure overload and to explore its mechanism. Thirty six male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to mimic operation group (Group A), model group (Group B) and Cornu Cervi Oral Liquid group (Group C). Rat models of congestive heart failure were induced by constriction of abdominal aorta. Left ventricular mass index(LVMI) was observed; contents of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ in left ventricular cardiac muscle were detected by immunohistochemical method and their mRNA expression by RT PCR; and plasma levels of angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and serum aldosterone (ALD) level were measured by radioimmunoassay method. LVMI, contents of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ and their mRNA expression, levels of plasma and myocardial AngⅡ, plasma ANF and serum ALD were higher in Group B than those in Group A (P0 05).[Conclusion]Cornu Cervi Oral Liquid is effective in reversing myocardial fibrosis in rats with congestive heart failure caused by pressure overload and its mechanism may be related to the decrease of contents of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ and their mRNA expression, levels of plasma and myocardial AngⅡ, plasma ANF and serum ALD.