It has been well documented that matrine, a tetracyclo-quinolizindine alkaloid, possessed a positive inotropic effect. However, the underlying mechanisms at the cellular and ion channel levels have not been completely clarified. Therefore, the present study was designed to identify the cellular target and the mechanisms of inotropic effect of matrine. Guinea pig papillary muscles were used to study the contractile force of the heart and ventricular myocytes were used to study L-type calcium channel (I Ca-L ) and intracellular calcium concentration
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