Panax ginseng combined with berberine has a positive effect in experimental rats with chronic congestive heart failure. - GreenMedInfo Summary
[Effects of ginseng total saponins with berberine on plasma brain natriuretic peptide and Ca2+ concentration in experimental rats with chronic congestive heart failure].
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2009 Feb;34(3):324-7. PMID: 19445159
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of total saponins of Panax ginseng combined with berberine on hemodynamics, Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and Ca2+ concentration in cardiac cells of chronic congestive heart failure rats. METHOD: Animal models of heart failure were induced by subcutaneously injecting a large dose of ISO (80 mg x kg(-1)) for 12 days Rat and then were randomly divided into four groups: model group was given distilled water by gavage; total saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine group was treated with total saponins of P. ginseng and berberine (each 20 mg x kg(-1); once per day) taken orally; captopril group was given captopril (45 mg x kg(-1); once per day) orally; shenmai injection group was injected intraperitoneally with shenmai injection (5 mL x kg(-1), once per day). The normal control group was given distilled water by gavage. After 4 weeks of drug treatment, rat To determine the contents of hemodynamics and plasma brain natriuretic peptide were determined and rat Ca2+ concentration in cardiomyocytes was measured by flow cytometer of each group. RESULT: Compared with normal control group, in model group can decrease the contents of LVSP, +dp/dtmax, and -dp/dtmax were decreased, but increase the contents of LVEDP, plasma brain natriuretic peptide and Ca2+ concentration were increased. The difference between two groups was significant meaning (P<0.01). Compared with model group, in total saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine group can increase the contents of LVSP, +dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax were increased, but were increased contents of LVEDP, plasma brain natriuretic peptide and Ca2+ concentration were decreased. The difference between two groups was significant was (P<0.01, P<0.05). Moreover, Total saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine group had an efficacy similar to that of captopril group but superior to that of shenmai injection group. CONCLUSION: Total saponins of P. ginseng combined with berberine has a good effect on hemodynamics, plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration and calcium overload in experimental rats with chronic congestive heart failure.