title: The herbal drug Catuama reverts and prevents ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heart.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catuama, an herbal drug very popular in Brazil, was tested on the reversion and prevention of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the isolated rabbit heart.
  
  
  METHODS
  Catuama (a mixture of Trichilia catigua, Paullinia cupana, Ptychopetalum olacoides, and Zinziber officinalis) was perfused in the isolated perfused rabbit heart. Its effects on intraventricular conduction, heart rate, and monophasic action potential (MAP) duration were evaluated, and sustained VF was induced. The effects on reversion and reinduction of arrhythmia were observed, and new measures were taken in the hearts that reverted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Catuama and T catigua reverted VF in all hearts, prevented reinduction, and prolonged intraventricular conduction. Catuama prolonged MAP phase 2. On the other hand, P cupana reverted VF in 3 of 5 hearts, but depressed automatism, prolonged MAP phase 3, and did not prevent reinduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Catuama reverted and prevented VF in this model. T catigua extract is probably the main agent responsible for the beneficial actions observed. Further studies are now in progress to clarify these actions.
authors: Emergency Medicine Research Laboratory, Medical School of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Pontieri
authors: Augusto Scalabrini
authors: AS
authors: Neto
authors: André Ferrari
authors: AF
authors: de França Camargo
authors: Marcia Kiyomi
authors: MK
authors: Koike
authors: Irineu Tadeu
authors: IT
authors: Velasco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: C437663:Catuama; D010936:Plant Extracts