ObjectiveTo study the effects of Danshen co-microemulsion (Co-ME) in treatment of acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin in rats. MethodsThe experimental model of myocardial ischemia was produced by injecting pituitrin into the sublingual vein of rats. The serum level of malonaldehyde(MDA) and the activities of phosphocreatine kinase (PCK) , lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and erythrocuprein (SOD) were examined in Co-ME, salvianolic acid microemulsion, tanshinone microemulsion, tanshinones suspension and blank microemulsion groups 30 min after injection of pituitrin. ResultsCo-ME, tanshinone microemulsion, salvianolic acid microemulsion and tanshinone suspension all improved myocardial eschemia to some extent; besides, they also decreased PCK, LDH activities and MDA content, and increased SOD activity. The therapeutic effect of Co-ME group was superior to those for the tanshinone microemulsion and salvianolic acid microemulsion groups, and significantly better than that of tanshinone suspension group (P<0.05). ConclusionMicroemulsion system can greatly promote the absorbance and bioavailability of tanshinone, displaying a therapeutic effect for acute myocardial ischemia. Salvianolic acids combined with tanshinones can promote the therapeutic effect.