Observation on effects of aconitine via acupoint injection in rabbits.

Objective: To investigate the ability of the pericardium meridian (PM) to mitigate or enhance the cardiotoxic effects of aconitine injected at specific acupoint and non-acupoint sites in rabbits.

Methods: This study consisted of 3 experiments that were designed to test the effects of injection of 30 μg/kg of aconitine at acupoints on the PM (Test 1), at non-acupoint sites on the PM (Test 2), and at acupoints on other meridians and non-meridian sites (Test 3). In Test 1, 24 rabbits were randomly assigned to receive injections at Quze (PC3), Tianquan (PC2), or intramuscularly.