title: Cardiovascular effects of the aqueous extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino.
abstract: In the present study, the cardiovascular activity of the aqueous extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino leaves was investigated in the anaestetized guinea-pigs and has been compared with two of its isolated gypenosides (III, VIII) and with verapamil, a well-known Ca-antagonistic drug. The results obtained showed that the intravenous administration of the decoction of G. pentaphyllum (2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg) produced a protective effect against pitressin-induced coronaryspasm, arrhythmias and pressor response. Extract also increased the dose of ouabain required to cause ventricular tachyarrhythmias and lethality. Further extract reversed ouabain-induced persistent ventricular tachycardia and restored sinus rhythm in a dose-dependent manner. The results obtained have also shown that gypenosides III and VIII caused similar protective effects in both experimental models used; however, the duration of the action is lower than that of the extract containing corresponding quantities of gypenosides III and VIII.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaco-Biological Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. circosta@pharma.unime.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Circosta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Pasquale
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Occhiuto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D029774:Gynostemma; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D014667:Vasopressins; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014667:Vasopressins; D014700:Verapamil