Acori graminei Rhizoma is one of the best-known traditional
herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of cardiovascular symptoms in Asian countries. The anti-ischemic effect of
Acori graminei Rhizoma on
ischemia-induced isolated rat heart was investigated through analysis of changes in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output. The subjects in this study were divided into two groups, an
ischemia-induced group without any treatment (I), and an
ischemia-induced group with
Acori graminei Rhizoma treatment (I+AGR). There were no significant differences in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, or cardiac output between the two groups before
ischemia was induced. The supply of
oxygen and
buffer was stopped for 10 min to induce
ischemia in isolated rat hearts, and
Acori graminei Rhizoma was administered while inducing
ischemia. The data showed that
Acori graminei Rhizoma treatment significantly prevented decreases in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output under an ischemic condition. In addition, hemodynamics (except heart rate) of the AGR-treated group was significantly recovered 60 min after reperfusion compared to the control group, (systolic aortic pressure: 85.5% vs. 62.5%, aortic flow volume: 68.1% vs. 49.4%, coronary flow volume: 86.8% vs. 60.1%, and cardiac output: 73.1% vs. 54.1%, p<0.01). These results suggest that
Acori graminei Rhizoma has distinct anti-ischemic effects.