"Qi-Invigorating” Chinese Tonic Herbs (Shens) Stimulate Mitochondrial ATP Generation Capacity in H9c2 Cardiomyocytes in Situ and Rat Hearts ex vivo

In the study, using ethanol extracts of Renshen (Panax ginseng C A Meyer), Xiyangshen (Panax quinquefolius L.) and Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosulae), we investigated the effect of these “Qi-invigorating” Chinese tonic herbs on mito- chondrial ATP generation capacity (ATP-GC) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes in situ and rat hearts ex vivo. All three types of “Shens” stimulated mitochondrial ATP-GC, with Renshen being most potent. While a parallel enhancement in mito- chondrial ATP-GC was observed in Renshen- and Xiyangshen-pretreated rats, Dangshen treatment did not produce de- tectable effect ex vivo. The discrepancy between in situ and ex vivo assays for Dangshen may be attributed by its lim- ited oral-bioavailability to the heart. The tissue specific activity of Shens on mitochondrial ATP-GC may be explained by the “Meridian Theory” in traditional Chinese medicine