Objective: To investigate the effect of saikosaponin a(SSa) on expression of multidrug resistant protein P-glycoprotein(P-gp) in refractory epilepsy rats induced by licl-pilocarpine. Method: Except for the blank control group (A)

thirty SD refractory epilepsy rats were randomly divided into 5 groups

namely

sodium valproate(VPA) group C (200 mg·kg-1

ig)

low

middle and high dose of SSa group(0.54

1.09

2.18 mg·kg-1

ip). The model group (B) and group A received the same amount of saline. At the end of treatment for 8 weeks

the expression of P-gp in rat hippocampus and temporal lobe cortex was detected by Western blotting. Result: The P-gp expressed in the rat hippocampus and temporal cortex in different groups had statistically significant difference(P<0.001). Compared with group A

the expression of P-gp were increased significantly in the other groups(P<0.05);the expression was increased in group C(P<0.05)

but decreased in group D

E and F when compared with group B. The reduction of expression was most apparent in group E(P<0.05). Conclusion: SSa can reduce the expression of P-gp in hippocampus and temporal cortex with a slightly dose-dependent manner

which may be one of the anticonvulsant mechanisms of SSa.