Objective: To test and verify the effect of artificial Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SXBXP, a heart protecting musk pill). Methods: The 225 patients of coronary heart disease (CHD)with angina pectoris were randomly and blindly assigned to the study group (112 cases) and the control group (113 cases). The two groups were well matched in age, sex, angina type, complication and grade of cardiac function. Two pills of artificial or natural SXBXP were given to each case of the two groups for 3 times every day orally, for 2 weeks, respectively.Results: Both the artificial and natural SXBXP could not only reduce significantly the frequency of angina episode and the daily consumption of nitroglycerin, they also could result in remarkable improvement of NST, ∑ST and exercise tolerance, as well as significant reduction of rate-pressure product. The total symptomatic effective rate of the two groups was 86. 6 % and 89. 4 % respectively, and the ECG effective rate, 52. 7 % and 57. 5 % respectively (P > 0. 05 ), and the incidence of headache of the two groups was one for each. In addition, the onset of action of both agents was rapid, 88. 5 % of the study group and 78. 6 % of the control group was within five minutes. The sustained time of action of the two groups was also similar, i. e. 4.9 ± 4.4 h vs 5.4 ± 3. 1 h.Conclusion: The clinical efficacy and side effect of artificial SXBXP were very similar to those of natural SXBXP.Original article on CJIM(Chin) 1998; 18(4): 204