Objective: To investigate the effects of aqueous extract from Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens on excitatory amino acid(EAA) in brain tissue after cerebral ischemia reperfusion(CIR) in rats. Method: Male SD rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups as following:sham-operation group

model control group

nimodipine group and high

middle and low dosage groups of aqueous extract from Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. CIR model in rats was reproduced by Pulsinelli’s "Four Vessel Occlusion" method. The contents of glumatate(Glu)

asparate(Asp)

and glycine(Gly) in brain tissue were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent detection. Atomic spectrophotometry was used to measure Ca2+ content in brain tissue. The changes of brain water content were measured by the wet and dry weight methods. Spectrophotometric assay was used to measure the activity of superoxide dismutase ( SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA) in brain tissue. Result: The contents of Glu

Ca2+

water

and MDA in brain tissue were increased

the activitiyof SOD was declined significantly in CIR model group

compared with the sham operation group. Aqueous extract from Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens could decrease the contents of Glu

Ca2+ and water in brain tissue

increase the activities of SOD

but there was no significant differencein the content of Gly

compared with model control group. Conclusion: The action of aqueous extract from Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens on CIR may be involve in declinning EAA neurotoxicity

decreasing intracellular Ca2+ overload and increasing antioxidant activity.