Objective: The effects of Angelica on deformability and aggregation of human
erythrocytes were studied.Method: The heparinized
venous blood from healthy blood donor was diluted to a haematocrit of 40%. The aggregation and deformability of
erythrocytes were measured by erythroaggregametre and LORCA.Results: When erythrocytes were incubated for 60 min at 37℃ with and without Angelica, the velocity of aggregation was much slower in group with Angelica than without Angelica(Ta: 2.59 ± 0.35 , Tf: 33.54 ± 2.63 vs Ta: 1.80 ± 0.16 , Tf: 27.11 ± 1.78 , P < 0.05 ). The defrmability was determined by LORCA system. The erythrocytes were incubated with A23187 ( 0.19 μmmol/L) for 60 min at 37℃, the values of EI was smaller than without A23187(EI54: 0.17 ± 0.024 vs 0.55 ± 0.017 , P < 0.001 ). Angelica were found to protect against loss of deformability caused by A23187, the values of EI of the deformability was increased under shear stress (EI54: 0.29 ± 0.047 , P < 0.02 ).Conclusion: These results suggest that Angelica may decrease the aggregation of the normal erythrocytes, reduce the injury of the deformability by Ca 2+ ionophore. It is a beneficial effect for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.