Inhibitory effects of paeonol on experimental atherosclerosis and platelet aggregation of rabbit

Aortic intimal abnormalities in rabbits treated with paeonol (100 mg/kg ip. qd x 6 wk) were significantly less than in the atherosclerotic control group. The serum llpoproteins contents had no obvious difference in the two groups at the end of the experiment. Paeonol clearly inhibited the platelet aggregation of rabbits in vitro (50, 100, 200 mg/ml PRP) and of rats in vivo (50 mg/kg iv) induced by thrombin. 5-HT release of platelet in rats was restrained by paeonol and the cAMP concentration of platelet in rabbits was significantly increased. These evidences suggest that the anti-atherogenic action of paeonol may be related to the inhibition of platelet aggregation and release.