Objective: To select the recommended dose of the Shenxiong Huayu capsule in the treatment of global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Method: Adult male SD rats were divided into five groups randomly: sham group

model group

low

medium and high dose group of Shenxiong Huayu capsule group(240

360

480 mg· kg-1). Global cerebral ischemia model was formed by improved four-vessel occlusion as described according to the description of Pulsinelli's method. Morphological changes were observed by HE staining in 12

24

48 h after injury. Beam walking test and bilateral forepaws grasp was used to detecte sensorimotor integration after 72 h. The best dose group was selected by using immunohistochemistry method to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Result: Compared with sham group

neuronal morphous was damaged

the density of neurons was reduced

the level of sensorimotor integration was decreased obviously(P<0.01)in model group Compared with model group

the number of neurons and the level of sensorimotor integration were increased obviously in Shenxiong Huayu capsule group(P<0.05); the above mentioned changes were more significant in high dose of Shenxiong Huayu capsule group. The expression of VEGF in high dose group was increased significantly

compared with model group(P<0.01). Conclusion: Shenxiong Huayu capsule have good therapeutic effect on ischemia-reperfusion injury and the recommended dose is 480 mg· kg-1

which is related to regulating VEGF expression.