The protective effect of Astragalus saponins or Astragalus mongholicus bunge on the micro -model of cultured new born rat heart cells infected with Coxsackie B, virus was observed. After inoculation with 1000 TCID Coxsackie B, virus, the cardiac enzyme lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) was much lower in the Astragalus saponins or Astragalus mongholiais bunge treated groups than in those untreated groups, but the synthesis rate of DNA was higher. Virus titer in the supernatant of cultures was detected 48 h after virus challenge. The virus titer of the Astragalus saponins (Lg 3.78 TCID) or the Astragalus mongholiais bunge (Lg 4.33 TCID50) treated groups was lower than in those untreated groups (Lg 5.78 TCID50). These results show that the Astragalus saponins may be a useful drug in treatment of acute viral myocarditis.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of HAA regimen (homoharringtonine,cytarabine and aclarubicin) in the treatment of 150 newly diagnosed adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods All patients entered the study from May 1999 to June 2008 were treated with HAA regimen. Coxsurvival analysis was used to estimate the survival rate and differences between M1/M2 and M4/M5 were compared with 2-sided log-rank test. Results Out of the 150 patients, 121 (81%) achieved complete remission (CR). After the first course, CR rate was 68%. The CR rates of 97%, 84% and 38% were achieved in patients with favorable, intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetics, respectively. For the patients with CR, the median follow-up time was 16.5 ( 1.5-100.5 ) months, and the estimated 3-year survival rate was 45%. The estimated 3-year relapse free survival rate was 52% for the 121 patients with CR.Conclusions HAA regimen may be an efficacious and safe regimen with a good toleration in the induction therapy for newly diagnosed AML, and a high CR rate could be achieved with only one or two courses.