Investigation Of Effects Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Astragalus Heart-Protecting Decoction On Rats With Dilated Cardiomyopathy

To investigate the effect of astragalus heart-protecting decoction on rats with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). 36 healthy rats were divided into normal control group (n = 12, unmodeled rats without receiving decoction), DCM + control group (n = 12, modeled rats without decoction), and DCM + treatment group (n = 12, modeled rats receiving decoction). Outcomes of the three groups were compared. Serum brain natriuretic peptide and matrix metallopeptidase 10, ventricular remodeling indicators, whole heart weight index and left ventricular weight index were significantly lower in normal control group than in the DMC + treatment and DMC + control groups, so was that in DMC + treatment group compared with those in DMC + control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the normal control group had higher superoxide dismutase level but lower malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase levels than the DMC + treatment and DMC + control groups (P < 0.05). Regarding myocardial histology or myocardial fibrosis, the DMC + treatment group highlighted better performance than the DMC + control group, with differences from those in the normal control group though. Astragalus heart-protecting decoction has a positive effect in the treatment of rats with DCM.