Objective: To observe the protective function of rutaecarpine (Rut) on learning and memory impairment induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice and its possible mechanisms. Method: The bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 5 min were conducted in mice

the mice in Rut-treated groups were administered with Rut(84

252

504 μg·kg-1

respectively)ip before 30 min of the operation. The other groups were administered with DMSO(0.02 mL·10 g-1).The abilities of learning and memory were examined by step-down test.The content of nitric oxide(NO) and the activities of nitric oxide syhthase(NOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) were measured by UV spectrophotometry scenery. Result: Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury could induce the disorder of learning and memoryin step-down test

the latency of Rut-treated groups was significantly extended(P<0.01)

rutaecarpine could decrease the content of NO significantly and the activities of NOS and iNOS in mice brain. Conclusion: Rut could significantly improve the impairment of learning and memory and might decrease cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by decreasing the activities of NOS and iNOS of mice brain.