Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on hemorrhagic shock in rabbits

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on hemorrhagic shock in rabbits have been investigated. The results suggest that the saponins 200 mg/kg in 5 ml NS iv half an hour before experiments can protect the rabbits from hemorrhagic shock: 1. The maximal bleeding volume of treated group (76+30 ml) is more than that in the control (53+29 ml); 2. The blood pressure of treated group at 2 h after reinfusion(85+39 kPa) is significantly higher than that of the control (71+30 kPa). It is suggested that the mechanism of the above results is based on preserving cardiac performance. The return of CI. LVSW. +dP/dtmax, -dP/dtmax of the treated group to normal (1.3+0.4 1 min-l.m-2; 1174+363 kPa/stroke. 225+46 kPa and 113+30 kPa) is much quicker than that of the control (0.43+0.17 L-1.min-l.m-2， 259+183 kPa/stroke. 96+24 and 56+11 kPa). And the saponins can prevent a rise in TPR in the decompensatory period of hemorrhagic shock ( 15+ 5 dyn.s.cm-6. 30+13 dyn.s.cm-5).