Abstract: AIM: To observe the effects of Zhengan Xifeng decoction on blood pressure, concentrations of an-giotensin II and endothelin in the plasma, myocardium and brain of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Twenty-four male SHR of fourteen weeks old were divided into three groups at random:SHR group, Zhengan Xifeng decoction group, enalapril group, compared with control group with eight congeneric male Wistar-Kyoto(WKY).After eight weeks, rat blood pres-sure was measured by a sixteen leads physiologic record system.Concentrations of angiotensin and endothelin in plasma, myocardium and brain were detected by radioim-munoassay.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, blood pressure of SHR was elevated while concen-trations of angiotensin in plasma, myocardium and endo-thelin in rat brain were increased significently.Zhengan Xifeng decoction could decrease the concentrations of an-giotensin in plasma, myocardium and endothelin in brain. CONCLUSION: Zhengan Xifeng decoction can protect the myocardium and brain by reducing the release of vaso-constricting materia to prevent complications of hyperten-sion.

Key words: Zhengan Xifeng decoction, spontane-ously hypertensive rat, angiotensin II, endothelin