Objective: To observe effects of total flavones of buckwheat flower and leaf (TFBFL) on adriamycin induced heart failure in rats and its mechanism. Method: The rats were randomly divided into normal control group

heart failure model contrast group

TFBFL groups at different doses (100

200

400 mg·kg-1)and captopril group(10 mg·kg-1). The rat heart failure model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin. The rats of each group were given therapeutic drugs by ig for 3 weeks. The cardiac function indexes were determined after the last administration. The levels of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The levels of nitric oxide (NO)

nitric oxide synthase (NOS)

interleukin-1β(IL-1β)

interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: Compared with the normal control group

the myocardial infarction indexes such as left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP)

left ventricular end-diastolic pressure LVEDP)and ±dp/dtmax

and the levels of ANP

BNP

NO

NOS

IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were increased remarkably(P<0.05

P<0.01). But compared with the model group

the myocardial infarction indexes and the levels of ANP

BNP

NO

NOS

IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were decreased to some extent(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: TFBFL could improve cardiac function of heart failure induced by adriamycin

which may be related to decreasing the levels of ANP

BNP

NO

NOS

IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α in serum.