The effects of jingsongling (JSL) and xylazine on heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were studied in five conscious male dogs. An i.v. injection of xylazine (1 mg/kg) caused a bradycardia, an initial hypertension, and a subsequent hypotension. An i.v. injection of JSL (1 mg/kg) caused a bradycardia and a 20-min hypertension without a subsequent hypotension. Atropine sulfate (45 micrograms/kg, i.v.) increased HR for 30 min without changing MAP, and antagonized JSL-induced bradycardia for at least 60 min. There was a subsequent rebound bradycardia. Atropine sulfate potentiated JSL-induced hypertension in both magnitude and duration. Yohimbine (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, increased HR and MAP for 110 and 70 min, respectively. Yohimbine not only failed to potentiate but even reversed the pressor effect of JSL in a dose-dependent manner. Yohimbine also caused a dose-dependent reversal of JSL-induced bradycardia. Tolazoline (5 mg/kg, i.v.), a nonselective alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, increased MAP for 20 min without changing HR. Tolazoline also reversed JSL-induced hypertension and bradycardia. Prazosin (1 mg/kg), an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, decreased MAP and increased HR for at least 110 min. Prazosin reversed JSL-induced hypertension but failed to affect JSL-induced bradycardia. These results indicated that: (1) JSL-induced bradycardia and hypertension are mediated by alpha 2-adrenoceptors; (2) yohimbine and tolazoline may be useful in antagonizing these untoward reactions associated with JSL administration, whereas prazosin and atropine were not found to be beneficial in this regard.