Effects of dl-tetrahydropalmatine on blood pressure and norepinephrine and epinephrine contents in peripheral tissues
Xing, S.H.; Ge, X.Q.; Yan, M.; Bian, C.F.
Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao 15(1): 92-96
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9756 PMID: 8010098 Document Number: 434334
Administration of dl-tetrahydropalmatine (THP) i.v., ip, and ig lowered the pressure and concurrently slowed the heart rate in anesthetized rats. The hypotensive and bradycardic effects were not produced by injecting THP into the vertebral artery in anesthetized rabbits. These results suggest that the site of hypotensive action of THP may not be a central one. The HPLC coupled with electrochemical detection showed that the contents of norepinephrine (NE) in the heart, aorta, and femoral artery and epinephrine (E) in the adrenal gland were markedly reduced by THP (P < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between the hypotensive effect and the reduction of NE in the aorta and femoral artery (r = 0.97, P < 0.01).