Myocardial protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury by a Polygonum multiflorum extract supplemented 'Dang-Gui Decoction for Enriching Blood', a compound formulation, ex vivo

'Dang-Gui Decoction for Enriching the Blood' (BE), a traditional Chinese fo rmulation comprising Angelica sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus, is used for stimulating red blood cell production as well as enhancing cardiovascu lar function. In the present study, we have demonstrated the myocardial pro tection afforded by BE pretreatment against ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) inju ry in isolated-perfused rat hearts, A more complete and potent myocardial p rotection against IR injury was also shown by a Polygonum multiflorum extra ct supplemented BE preparation (BEA), The results suggest that the more pot ent cardioprotective action of BEA may be related to its ability to sustain the myocardial glutathione antioxidant status under conditions of IR-induc ed oxidative stress, which may possibly in turn result from the synergistic interaction between the BE and Polygonum extract. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.