Abstract: AIM: To study the protection of compound Hippophae rhamnoides L-granule (CHRG) on ischemic injury induced by glutamic acid (Glu) in the cortical neurons of rat cultured in vitro and its relevant mechanism .METHODS: The cortical neurons of the newborn rats (1 d) were cultured and separated.The protective effects of CHRG on ischemic injury induced by Glu were observed.The survival rate of the neurons was measured by MTT method, the content of LDH in extra-cellular bathing media was measured by colorimetry as well as the content of MDA, the activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the homogenate of cortical cells.RESULTS: When cells were treated with Glu, the content of LDH and MDA increased and the activity of SOD and GSH-Px decreased significantly.The observed group treated with CHRG could effectively prevent these changes.CONCLUSION: The serum preparation of CHRG shows protective effects on the cortical neurons injury induced by Glu and the mechanism may be related to suppressing the generation of lipids peroxides and cleaning excessive free radicals.

Key words: Hippophae rhamnoides L-granule, glutamic acid, cerebral cortex neurons, primary culture, brain ischemia, free radical