abstract |
Compositions and methods for increasing the contractility of the mammalian heart as shown by a positive inotropic effect are disclosed, employing protoberberine alkaloids such as berberine, discretine, xylopinine, berrberubine, tetrahydropalmatine, and stepharotine in combination with cardiac glycosides such as ouabain, digoxin, digitoxin, deslanoside and digitalis. |