Rauwolfia serpentina in the treatment of angina pectoris.

Fifteen subjects with coronary artery disease and angina pectoris were given alternate courses of the alseroxylon fraction of Ratiwolfia serpentina and placebo. Fourteen improved on the drug as determined by independent clinical evaluations and the "Daily Report Card" data. Seven developed normal electrocardiograms, 2-step tests or ballistocardiograms, that previously had been abnormal. Alseroxylon appeared to induce an unusually prolonged therapeutic effect that was revealed onlv by an individual "sequential" analysis of each course of drug and placebo. The nature of the underlying mechanism is not clear. Serious hypotensive responses and acute depressive reactions are infrequent at the dosage levels used, but do occur.