Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown that Danshen Root can suppress adhesion and aggregation of neutrophils as well as production of oxygen free radical, can activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis. However, there are few studies about precise mechanisms underlying protection of vascular endothelium and anti-thrombosis, especially concerning the mechanism of action following coronary artery stent implantation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of Danhong injection on vascular endothelial function before and after coronary artery stent implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
METHODS: A total of 60 ACS patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The patients in the conventional treatment group were subjected to conventional drug treatment following coronary artery stent implantation. The patients in the Danhong injection group received conventional drug treatment and Danhong injection (20 mL/d) following coronary artery stent implantation. The treatment course was 10 days. Before and after implantation as well as before and after Danhong injection treatment, endothelium-derived blood flow-mediated vasodilation, plasma endothelin, thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin levels were determined, and the vascular endothelial function were evaluated. Simultaneously, short-term prognosis was observed in patients of both groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Plasma endothelin and thromboxane B2 levels were significantly increased, but 6-keto-prostaglandin levels were significantly decreased following stent implantation in patients of both groups compared with that before implantation (P < 0.05). Plasma endothelin and thromboxane B2 levels were significantly reduced, but endothelium-derived blood flow-mediated vasodilation and 6-keto-prostaglandin levels were significantly increased in both groups following treatment compared with that following implantation (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), especially in the Danhong injection group (P < 0.05). During hospitalization, the incidences of cardiovascular events were diminished in the Danhong injection group compared with conventional drug treatment group (P > 0.05). Results suggested that Danhong injection significantly improves vascular endothelial function, induces vasodilatation, improves blood supply, inhibits platelet aggragation, and shows the tendency of ameliorating short-term prognosis.