Objective: To observe the effect of paeonol (Pae) combined with Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on myocardial fibrosis in rats with diabetes mellitus.Method: Diabetic cardiomyopathy model was induced by high fat and high glucose feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ). According to the two factors and five levels uniform design method

the myocardial collagen volume fraction measured by Masson staining in myocardial tissue was used as the observation index

and the best combination dose of paeonol and PNS in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats was determined by multiple regression analysis. The 2×2 factorial design test was used to analyze the interaction between Pae and PNS. The blank group

model group

Pae group (80 mg · kg-1)

PNS group (100 mg · kg-1)

Pae(80 mg · kg-1)+PNS (100 mg · kg-1) group

and metformin (157.5 mg · kg-1) group were established in this study. Then their body weight

heart weight index (HWI)

blood glucose (FBG)

lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB)

malondialdehyde (MDA)

and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in myocardial tissues were detected

and the distribution of myocardial collagen was observed by Masson staining.Result: It was found that the combination of Pae (80 mg · kg-1) and PNS (100 mg · kg-1) had the best effect and synergistic effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy. As compared with the normal group

the contents of HWI

FBG

LDH

AST

CK-MB and MDA in the model group were increased

the activity of SOD and body weight were decreased significantly(P<0.05)

while the myocardial collagen fiber was significantly increased in Masson staining (P<0.05). As compared with the model group

the contents of HWI

FBG

LDH

AST

CK-MB and MDA in the model group were decreased. The activity of SOD increased and body weight increased significantly (P<0.05)

and the myocardial collagen fiber was significantly decreased in Masson staining (P<0.05).There was significant difference between combined group and single herb group (P<0.05).Conclusion: The combination of Pae and PNS has the effect of anti-myocardial fibrosis

and has a certain improvement in diabetic cardiomyopathy

which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress.