Objective: To study the effects of Shenxiong Huayu Capsule on the learning and memory behaviors of rats with vascular dementia. Method: Sixty healthy rats were evenly divided into 6 groups: normal group

sham-operation group

model group

hydergine group

compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablet group and Shenxiong Huayu Capsule group. Vascular dementia (VD) model in rats was established by common carotid artery repeatedly occlusion and sodium nitroprusside ip injection. The learning and memory abilities of rats were detected by Morris water maze. Result: Compared with the normal group and sham-operation group

the escape latent period was increased in the model group(all P<0.01)

and the times of traversing terrace and the period of staying in the pristine quadrant were obviously decreased in the model group after removing the terrace(all P<0.01). Compared with the model group

the escape latent period in the drug intervention groups was decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the times of traversing terrace and the period of staying in the pristine quadrant were increased after removing the terrace(all P<0.05). The escape latent period in Shenxiong Huayu Capsule group was decreased compared with hydergine group(P<0.05)

but there was no significant difference between Shenxiong Huayu Capsule group and compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablet group. Conclusion: Shenxiong Huayu Capsule can improve the abilities of learning and memory for the VD rats.