Objective: To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Scutellaria baicalensis stem-leave total flavonoid (SSTF) preteratment on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rat hippocampus. Method: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups as following:sham operation group

ischemia reperfusion group

and SSTF pretreated group. Rats of SSTF were perfused with SSTF

other two groups were given PBS solution instead of SSTF equally in a week before the operation. The model of focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion was reproduced by the suture embolic method after treated with SSTF 1 week. After 2 h of occlusion and 24 h reperfusion

morphological changes of hippocampus neurons were observed. The activity of (glutathione peroxidase

GSH-Px) and (lactate dehydrogenase

LDH)

and the content of (malondialdehyde MDA) in hippocampus tissue were measured by colorimetric methods. Fas and FasL expression in the hippocampus were determined by immunohistochemical methods and analyzed by a microimage analysis system. Result: SSTF pretreatment can alleviate the pathological changes in hippocampus area. Compared with I/R group

the positive cell count of Fas and FasL was decreased significantly in SSTF preteratment group. SSTF decreased the content of MDA and increased the activity of GSH-Px and LDH in hippocampus tissue. Conclusion: SSTF pretreatment can ameliorate hippocampus damage induced by focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats

which may be related to down-regulation of Fas and FasL protein expression and increase the anti-oxidant ability of cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats.