Objective: To investigate the effects of astragalus extract mixture and effective components on the cardiac functions in rat heart failure(HF) induced by adriamycin. Method: Ninety male SD rats were randomized into 7 groups

including control group

HF group

Digoxigein (DG) group

Astragaloside (ASIV) group

astragalus polysaccharide (APS) group

total saponins of astragalus (AST) group and Astragalus Extract Mixture (AEM) group. Twelve rats were used in each of all groups except HF group in which 18 rats were used. The animals in all experimental groups except control group were intra-peritoneally injected with adriamycin(ADM) every other day to produce HF model; the animals in all experimental groups except HF group were respectively treated with intragastric administration of DG

AEM or other effective components aboved at the same time when ADM was given. The drugs dose of DG

ASIV

APS

AST were 0.05

50

1 000

100 and 8 000 mg·kg-1respectively

The dose of Astragalus Extract Mixture in the AEM group is equivalent to the crude herb

Volume of gastric perfusion was 2 mL in the every groups. Survival Rate(SR)

left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP)

Heart Rate(HR)

+dp/dtmax and T-dp/dtmax were recorded and compared among the all groups. Result: The values of SR

LVSP

HR and +dp/dtmax in HF group were significantly lower than those in all other groups (P<0.01). As compared with HF group

SR

LVSP and +dp/dtmax were significantly enhanced in all experimental groups among which

the indices of cardiac function in AEM group were improved more significantly. Further experiment showed that AEM can also increase HR and shorten T-dp/dtmax in HF rats. Comparatively

the therapeutic effect of AEM in HF rats was even stronger than DG as shown in the present study. The parameters such as LVSP and +dp/dtmax in APS group were improved

so that the therapeutic action of the APS to HF can be demonstrated. Conclusion: Astragalus extract mixture and the effective components of astragalus including ASIV

AST and APS can significantly enhance the survival rate and cardiac contractility in the rats with experimental heart failure. Astragalus extract mixture may be more effective and safer in the treatment of HF. Curative effect of APS to HF is so benificial and significant that can not ignored.