ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanisms of
Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) on myocardial fibrosis in spontaneous hypertensive
rats (SHR). MethodsSHR of 12 weeks old were divided into the SBP group, the control group (treated with benazepril) and the model control group. The effects on such indexes as systolic blood pressure (SBP), left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), content of myocardial collagen (MC) in left ventricle, extracellular matrix fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), cardiac fibroblast (cFb) and transforming growth factor-β_1 (TGF-β_1) were determined after 12 weeks of treatment. ResultsSBP had no marked pressure depressive effect, but had the effect similar to that of benazepril in reducing the level of LVM, LVMI and content of MC (P<0.05), as well as the content of LN, FN in myocardium, cFb count and TGF-β_1 expression (P<0.05). ConclusionSBP can prevent and treat myocardial fibrosis, whose action is independent of its hypotensive effect. The mechanism may be associated with such factors as the decrease of MC synthesis in left ventricle and the deposition of extracellular matrix.