Antifibrillatory, cardiovascular and toxic effects of sparteine, butylsparteine and pentylsparteine.

The negative bathmo- ino and chronotropic effects of sparteine, butylsparteine and pentylsparteine were quantitatively determined in isolated rat atria. The antifibrillatory potency was studied in rats (aconitine arrhythmia), guinea pigs (digoxin arrhythmia) and in cats (spontaneous arrhythmia). In order to appraise the cardiovascular compatibility of these drugs, additional circulatory effects were studied in rats and cats. Acute toxicity following intravenous, intraperitoneal and oral administration was assessed in male and female mice. Pentylsparteine was more potent than sparteine and had a better therapeutic index.