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Abstract
Cardiovascular effects mediated by the crude juice obtained from the plant Ecballium elaterium were investigated with Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. The hearts of eleven rabbits were excised AND perfused through the aorta with Krebs solution containing crude juice diluted by 200-1000-fold. At low concentrations (i.e., 800- AND 100-fold dilutions), Ecballium crude juice produced a significant increase in left ventricular pressure AND coronary flow (p<0.05), but it produced no significant increase in heart rate. At higher concentrations (i.e., 200-, 300-, AND 400-fold dilutions) left ventricular pressure AND heart rate descreased significantly (p<0.005), while coronary flow did not change except at a 200-fold dilution. These results suggested that Ecballium crude juice contains some substance(s) which can produce a positive inotropic response with little effect on heart rate. Other substance(s) present in the crude juice produce a negative inotropic effect AND decrease heart rate. We are in the process of separating these substances.