Objective: To observe clinical effect of Shenqizhapu decoction in treating primary hypertension and to analyze its effective mechanism.

Methods: 98 cases of primary hypertension were divided into thee groups randomly according to the date they visited the clinic or they were hospitalized from August, l996 to October, l998:
　　(l) 34 cases in Shenqizhapu decoction group (Gl);
　　(2) 30 cases in western medicine group (G2);
　　(3) 34 cases in combined therapy group (G3).
　　Shenqizhapu decoction (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae 30g, Rasix Notoginseng l0g, Rhizoma Gastrodiae l5g, Rhizoma Acori Graminei 10g, raw Radiz Rehmanniae 30g, Rumulus Uncariae cum Uncis 10g, Hirudo l0g) was orally given to Gl twice daily. 20-40mg of Nimodepine was orally given to G2 each time, two or three times daily Besides TCM prescription, 20g of Nimodipine was given to G3 each time, twice daily. 30 days was a course for the three groups. Result: Blood pressure and clinical symptoms in the 3 groups were: Overall effective rate was 9l.l% in Gl; 94.l% in G3; 83.3% in G3. And Cholesterol triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein were all changed in the three groups to some degrees. Clinical experiment shows that there was significant difference between Gl and G2 in reducing blood Pressure and improving clinical symptoms (P0.05). This shows that Nimodipine could not significantly help Shenqizhapu decoction in reducing blood pressure. Analysis on the indicated observed in laboratory shows that before and after treatment TC, TG, HDL, LDL didn't change significantly (P>0.05) in G2; and in Gl and G3 the above mentioned indicators were reduced significantly (P<0.05-P<0.0l), high density lipoprotein was increased significantly (P<0.0l). When Nimodipine was added to Shenqizhapu decoction, it could not intensify the effect of reducing blood fat by the decoction. Conclusion: Shenqizhapu Decoction has good effect of reducing blood pressure, blood fat and blood viscosity. It also has the effect of dilating blood vessels of heart and brain, removing or relaxing clinical symptoms.

(By Zhang Xiaqing & Hu Weijian. From Hospital of TCM, Huangshan City, Anhui 245000, China)