Objective:To study the effect of Houshiheisan on the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.Methods: Rat cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury model was produced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery.Using behavioral test

evaluate the neurological deficiency of each group after operation.Immunohistochemistry method was performed to observe the NGF expression as well as the effect of Houshiheisan on them.Results: Houshiheisan significantly improved the neurological deficits

In the ischemic side of the model group

the number of NGF positive cells were lower as compared with those in the sham-operated side of the sham-operated groug(P<0.05).The number of NGF positive cells in the Houshiheisan group were more than that of model group(P<0.05)

similar to that of sham-operated groug.Conclusion: The results indicate Houshiheisan can improve the expression of NGF after cerebral ischemia.It may be one of mechanisms for the treatment of ischemic stroke.