Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of dl-3n-butyphthalide(NBP)on neuromotor function and its mechanism of microcirculation dysfunction following diffuse brain Injury(DBI) in rats. Method: One hundred and thirty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into sham group(21)

model group(38)

low-dose NBP treatment group(38) and high-dose NBP treatment group(38). Treatment groups were adiministrated after injury by intraperitoneal injection

once for 24 h

continued to 72 h rat diffuse brain injury model was established by using Marmarou's method. The laser Doppler flowmeter was used to assay brain tissue changes of blood flow after 24

48

72 h tannic acid-ferric chloride mordant staining was used to determine the marking microvessel density

brain tissue changes of morphous was measured by electron microscopy; behavioral tests were performed. Result: Compared with sham group

brain tissue was damaged

the cerebral blood flows decreased at 24

48

72 h. The neuroscores and the general movement ability were damaged in model groups. Compared with model group

the damage of brain tissue was decreased

the cerebral blood flows increased at 24

48

72 h(P<0.05).The vascular density increased(P<0.05).The neuroscores and the general movement ability enhanced in NBP groups. The above mentioned indexes changed more significantly in high dose of NBP group. Conclusion: NBP can improve neurological function after brain trauma injury

which is in part through attenuating the cerebral microcirculation damage.