Abstract: Aim The protective effect of total salvianolic acids (Sal) on cerebral hypoxia in mice was studied. Methods Acute cerebral hypoxia was induced by sodium nitrite sc and decapitation. The effect of Sal on acute cerebral hypoxia in mice and neuronal hypoxia injury induced by sodium dithionite in primary cultures were observed.Results Sal in the doses of 10, 20 mg·kg^-1 iv protected mice against the acute cerebral hypoxia and inhibited the production of lipid peroxidation in brain tissue of mice caused by cerebral hypoxia. Sal in the doses of 1~ 10μg·L^-1 reduced the rate of cell death and the content of MDA and lowered LDH content in extra-cellular bathing media in oxygen deprived cortical cultures.Conclusions Sal protects mice against cerebral hypoxia by suppressing the generation of lipid peroxide.

Key words: total salvianolic acids, cerebral hypoxia, mice, cerebral cortical neurons, cell culture, lipid peroxidation