[Comparative study of Scrophulariae and Aconite in inhibiting myocardial hypertrophy in rats and mice].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of Scrophulariae of cold nature and Aconite of hot nature on myocardial hypertrophy and neuroendocrine factors in rats and mice.

METHODS

A mouse model of myocardial hypertrophy was established by hypodermic injection of isoproterenol. Sixty myocardial hypertrophy mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, untreated group, metoprolol-treated group, Scrophulariae-treated group and Aconite-treated group. A rat model of myocardial hypertrophy was established by peritoneal injection of L-thyroxin. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, untreated group, captopril-treated group, Scrophulariae-treated group and Aconite-treated group. After 7-9 days of treatment with intragastric administration of the corresponding drugs, the effects of Scrophulariae and Aconite on left ventricular weight index (LVWI) and heart weight index (HWI) were determined. The concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in plasma and angiotensin II (Ang II) in myocardium were detected through radio-immunity method. Cardiocyte cross-section area was determined by using HE staining.

RESULTS

Scrophulariae of cold nature could significantly reduce the LVWI, HWI and cardiocyte cross-section area, and could decrease the content of cAMP and Ang II. However, Aconite had no such effects.

CONCLUSION

Scrophulariae of cold nature can inhibit myocardial hypertrophy through restraining the activity of sympathetic nervous system and decreasing the level of Ang II. The inhibition of Aconite of hot nature on cardiac hypertrophy is not significant.