This study was attempted to investigate the pharmacological action, especially depressor action of Phellodendri cortex and to elucidate the mechanism of its action, making use of Phellodendri cortex methanol extract (PCME) because its hypotensive action is not clear. Influence of PCME on the blood pressure of the rabbits and cats were observed in this study. PCME, when given intravenously in the rabbits and cats, elicited the hypotensive action, but intraventricular PCME in the rabbits did not show depressor action. Accumulation and tachyphylaxis by PCME administered into the ear-vein of the rabbits were not shown. Depressor effect of PCME in the rabbits was attenuated significantly by pretreatment with phentolamine, guanethidine, chorisondamine and atropine, but not by propranolol, diphenhydramine, cyproheptadine and vagotomization. The pressor activity of angiotensin was unimpaired after injection of maximal hypotensive doses (100mg/kg) of PCME, but the pressor activity of norepinephrine and carotid occlusion was abolished markedly. In addition, PCME given into jugular vein of the cats weakened norepinephrine pressor responses and caused the reversal of epinephrine pressor responses. These results suggest that the hypotensive action of PCME may be due to dual mechanisms by interference with peripheral sympathetic function, alpha adrenoceptor blocking action, and peripheral parasympathomimetics action, muscarinic action.