[Effects of xinshuaikang granule on cardiac function and atrial natriuretic polypeptide levels in rabbits with experimental congestive heart failure].

Xinshuaikang (XSK) granule mainly consisted of Radix Ginseng, Aconifum carmichaeli, Ligustici wallichii, Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae, etc. Thirty-five white rabbits of Japanese strain with big ears were used and five groups were divided randomly. The models of chronic heart failure (CHF) was made by injection of adriamycin through the marginal vein of rabbit's ear. Only one group without adriamycin injection was taken as blank group. After the making of models, Xinbao (XB) was used to treat one group which was regarded as control group, XSK was used to treat two model groups, one used higher dose, the other one used lower dose. Fifteen days was taken as a course of treatment. The results were: the body weight of all model groups was heavier than that without adriamycin. After a course of treatment, the body weight of the groups treated by XSK or XB decreased rapidly, the general conditions of the three groups were improved; the two drugs could reduce heart rate and enhance heart function, at the same time they reduced the level of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) in plasma. The best results was obtained in XSK group with higher dose, the effect of XSK group with lower dose was equivalent to that of XB group. Hence, XSK granule could enhance the CHF rabbits' heart function, improve their heart endocrine activity, this drug had a reliable effect on CHF.