OBJECTIVETo study the effects of total saponins of Panax ginseng combined with berberine on hemodynamics, Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and Ca2+ concentration in cardiac cells of chronic congestive heart failure rats.

METHODAnimal models of heart failure were induced by subcutaneously injecting a large dose of ISO (80 mg x kg(-1)) for 12 days Rat and then were randomly divided into four groups: model group was given distilled water by gavage; total saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine group was treated with total saponins of P. ginseng and berberine (each 20 mg x kg(-1); once per day) taken orally; captopril group was given captopril (45 mg x kg(-1); once per day) orally; shenmai injection group was injected intraperitoneally with shenmai injection (5 mL x kg(-1), once per day). The normal control group was given distilled water by gavage. After 4 weeks of drug treatment, rat To determine the contents of hemodynamics and plasma brain natriuretic peptide were determined and rat Ca2+ concentration in cardiomyocytes was measured by flow cytometer of each group.

RESULTCompared with normal control group, in model group can decrease the contents of LVSP, +dp/dtmax, and -dp/dtmax were decreased, but increase the contents of LVEDP, plasma brain natriuretic peptide and Ca2+ concentration were increased. The difference between two groups was significant meaning (P<0.01). Compared with model group, in total saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine group can increase the contents of LVSP, +dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax were increased, but were increased contents of LVEDP, plasma brain natriuretic peptide and Ca2+ concentration were decreased. The difference between two groups was significant was (P<0.01, P<0.05). Moreover, Total saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine group had an efficacy similar to that of captopril group but superior to that of shenmai injection group.

CONCLUSIONTotal saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine has a good effect on hemodynamics, plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration and calcium overload in experimental rats with chronic congestive heart failure.