Abstract: AIM: To explore the protective effect of extract of astragalus (EA) on inflammatory reaction during global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.METHODS: The model of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was established by four-vessel occlusion method.After global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion peripheral white blood cell and neutrophil were counted.The cortex and hippocampus myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were determined by spectrophotometry.The pathological changes of cortex tissue were observed by light microscope.RESULTS: Compared with those in sham group, after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, the numbers of peripheral white blood cell and neutrophil and the activities of cortex and hippocampus MPO in control group were increased significantly.Compared with those in control group, the numbers of peripheral white blood cell and neutrophil of EA group were declined.Cortex and hippocampus MPO activities of EA group (40, and 80 mg·kg^-1) were lower than those in control group.The pathological changes of cortex tissue were less serious in rats treated with EA.CONCLUSION: EA has protective effect on cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injuries that may be relate to its anti-inflammatory effect.

Key words: Astragalus, ischemia and reperfusion, leukocyte, myeloperoxidase