Abstract: AIM: To observe the effects of total flavones of epimedium on experimental myocardial ischemia through intravenous injection and gastroenter-administration pathway. METHODS: Acute myocardial ischemia model of mice was induced by subcutaneous injection (s.c.)of isoproterenol (20 mg/kg).The effects of the injection of total flavones of epimedium(PSTFE, i.v.) and total flavones of epimedium(TFE, i.g.)on the survival time of mice were observed.Acute myocardial ischemia model was induced by ligating coronary artery in anaesthetized dogs. Then epicardium electrocardiogram (EECG)was measured, and creatine kinase (CK), lactic acid (LD), superoxide dismutase (SOD)and malonaldehyde (MDA)in the serum, cardiac infarction area were determined respectively. RESULTS: PSTFE (i.v.)and TFE (i.g.)could both significantly increase the survival time of acute myocardial ischemia mice(P<0.01).PSTFE (iv gtt)and TFE (i.d.)could obviously reduce the value of △N-ST and △∑-ST, decrease the infarction area, notably decrease the levels of CK, LD and MDA in the serum, and distinctly increase the level of SOD(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Total flavones of epimedium through intravenous injection and gastroenteradministration pathway have significantly protective effects on experimental myocardial ischemia.

Key words: total flavones of epimedium, myocardial ischemia, isoproterenol, coronary artery ligation