Effects of Artemisinin extract on the cardiovascular and respiratory function in rabbits

Abstract:

Objective：To observe the effects of Artemisinin extract on the cardiovascular and respiratory function in rabbits. Methods：Thirty-two healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups. 10 ml/kg normal saline，10，100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg Artemisinin extract were injected respectively into the rats in the four groups. Arterial blood pressure，respiratory movement，electrocardiogram，blood gas analysis and histological examination of the lungs in the experimental rabbits were measured on 12th d after the intravenous injection. Results：Compared with those in the control group，（1）there was no difference in blood pressure，res－piratory movement，heart rate and electrocardiogram among each experimental group（P >0.05）；（2）the values of pH，PaCO2，PaO2，HCO3ˉ，BE and SaO2 were not statistically changed in low and middle dosage groups（P >0.05），but the PaO2 value was decreased sig－nificantly in high dosage group（P<0.05）. Conclusions：Artemisinin extract will not exert obvious adverse effect on the cardiovas－cular system in rabbits，but the pulmonary inflammatory response can be induced by high-dose Artemisinin extract in experimental rabbits.