The positive inotropic and the hemodynamic effects
of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction were studied in
excised rat auricle and in intact anesthetized rabbit.
In contrast with digitalis cardiac glycoside, Aconiti
tuber butanol fraction showed strong positive inotropic
effect on rat auricle, which was not influenced
by varying concentrations of potassium in Krebs solution.
High calcium concentrations in the nutrient
medium reduced the positive inotropic effect of Aco..
niti tuber butanol fraction, while low calcium shoo
wed to increase the positive inotropic action. This
synergistic effect of calcium with Aconiti tuber butanol
fraction was similar to that of digitalis glyco..
side with calcium in a digitalis susceptible cardiac muscle preparation. In the hemodynamics of anesthetized
rabbit heart rate, left ventricular diastolic pressure
and systemic arterial pressure were slightly
reduced by Aconiti tuber butanol fraction. Cardiac
output seemed to be increased by Aconiti, but it
was variable and insignificant
