[Effect of aqueous extract of Lepidium apetalum on dog's left ventricular function]

Left ventricular myocardial contractility, function of pump-blood and coronary flow in dog were increased by i.v. aqueous extract of Lepidium apetalum (AELA) 0.2 ml/kg (containing crude medicinal herb 2 g/ml). The effects were similar to i.v. isoperaline 10 micrograms/kg, but AELA did not obviously change heart rate, arterioveno-oxygen partial pressure difference and arteriovenooxygen solubility. The results indicated the AELA had advantages of cordial effect and increasing coronary flow instead of enhancing oxygen consumption of cardiac muscle.