To investigate the effects of Corocalm (Shuguan Capsule

疏冠胶囊) on acute myocardial ischemia in anesthetized dogs and its possible therapeutic mechanism. The acute ischemia model was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Twenty-five dogs were randomly divided into 5 groups (5 dogs in each group): the control group (treated with normal saline 3 mL/kg)

the refi ned Guanxin Capsule group (精制冠心胶囊

GXC 200 mg/kg)

high and low dose Corocalm groups (48.5 mg/kg for low dose group and 194.0 mg/kg for high dose group) and the Diltiazem group (5 mg/kg). The animals were treated via a single duodenal administration after the model was established. The experiments used epicardial electrocardiogram (EECG) to measure the scope and degree of myocardial ischemia. Simultaneously

the coronary blood fl ow (CBF) and serum activity levels of creatine phosphokinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured by electromagnetic fl ow meter and automatic biochemical analyzer respectively. The plasma endothelin (ET) content was quantified by radioimmunoassay. Corocalm (48.5 mg/kg and 194.0 mg/kg) signifi cantly decreased the degree and scope of myocardial ischemia

reduced the infarct area

markedly increased the CBF

and inhibited the increase of CK and LDH activities and ET levels induced by myocardial ischemia/infarction. Corocalm could improve the state of acute myocardial ischemia and infarction in dogs. The mechanism of action might be correlated to increasing CBF

inhibiting CK and LDH activities and preventing ET release.