Mechanism of action of verbascoside on the isolated rat heart: increases in level of prostacyclin

The mechanism of the positive cardioactive effects induced by verbascoside in the Lagendorff rat heart has been investigated. Isolated rat hearts treated with α‐ or β‐ adrenergic agents did not show significant reduction of the positive chronotropism, inotropism and increased coronary perfusion rate mediated by verbascoside. A significant increase in prostacyclin levels (142%) observed following the administration of verbascoside suggests that prostacyclin stimulates formation of cAMP which induces the cardioactivity associated with verbascoside. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.