Abstract
The effects of crude platycodin on the coronary and hindquarter vascular beds in anesthetized dogs were studied and compared with those of glyceryl trinitrate, papaverine and Saponin (E. Merck AG.). Crude platycodin in doses of 200 to 800 μg i.a. dose-dependently reduced coronary and hindquarter vascular resistances and the potency was comparable to that of papaverine. Crude platycodin, 4 mg/kg i.v., also caused an increase in coronary and hindquarter blood flows, concomitantly with a transient systemic hypotension. The vasodilating effect of crude platycodin appears to be direct and non-specific on the peripheral blood vessels as in the case of glyceryl trinitrate or papaverine.
