Corynanthine inhibits, while idazoxan potentiates, cardiotoxic effects of ouabain.

1. Ouabain, infused intravenously to anaesthetized guinea-pigs induced ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachyarrhythmias and lethality. 2. Corynanthine (1, 2 and 4 mg kg-1), an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist and idazoxan (100, 200 and 400 micrograms kg-1), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist were administered 10 min prior to ouabain. Corynanthine (2 and 4 micrograms kg-1) showed significant increase in the amount of ouabain required to cause arrhythmia and lethality, whereas idazoxan (200 and 400 micrograms kg-1) decreased it. 3. Corynanthine inhibited the ouabain-induced pressor response while idazoxan potentiated it. 4. Effects of these agents on the sympathetic nervous system appear to have played a significant role in its anti- and proarrhythmic actions.