Mechanism of action of verbascoside on the isolated rat heart: Increases in level of prostacyclin

The mechanism of the positive cardioactive effects induced by verbascoside in the Lagendorff rat heart has been investigated. Isolated rat hearts trea ted with alpha- or beta-adrenergic agents did not show significant reductio n of the positive chronotropism, inotropism and increased coronary perfusio n rate mediated by verbascoside. A significant increase in prostacyclin lev els (142%) observed following the administration of verbascoside suggests t hat prostacyclin stimulates formation of cAMP which induces the cardioactiv ity associated with verbascoside. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd .