[Progress of cardiovascular pharmacologic study on berbamine].

Berbamine (molecular formular C37H40N2O6) is a bi-benzle-isoquinolyl alkaloid extracted from Berberis poiretil Schneid (genus of Berberis, family of Beridaceae), a kind of Chinese plants. In aspect of cardiovascular pharmacology, berbamine shows actions of anti-arrhythmia, anti-myocardial ischemia, vasodilatating to lower blood pressure, and antithrombosis, it could lower heart function and heart rate. Study on its anti-arrhythmia was the deepest one. The significant anti-arrhythmia action can be achieved by inhibiting ionic channels of sodium, potassium, calcium, etc., negative frequency and negative transduction, improving the diastolic excitation threshold of myocardium, prolonging effective refractory period of myocardium. As a direction of researches on new type of antiarrhythmic herbs and herbal drugs, the study on berbamine is worthy of further research and development.