Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of salvianolic acid B(Sal B) against acute focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Method: The acute cerebral ischemic model induced by medial cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) was reproduced.The modeling mice were given Sal B 11.25

22.5

45 mg·kg-1 or Nimhorizon 30 μg·kg-1 by tail vein injection after MCAO immediately. The model group and control group were treated with the same volume of physiological saline. After 6 h

the following indexes were observed including:the behavior

brain index

brain water content

cerebral infarction volume and brain tissue pathological morphology were observed. The glutamate contents in brain tissue was determined by colorimetric methods with commercial kit. Result: After MCAO for 6 h

compared with model group

the nerve functional behavior score

brain index

brain water content and cerebral infarction volume of Sal B dose groups in mice were significantly reduced(P<0.05

P<0.01). According to the results of pathological tissue section

all the Sal B groups could reduce the brain neurons nucleus pycnosis

nuclear dissolve degree

irregular degree

and improve the pathological injury of brain tissue ischemia. The different Sal B dose groups could significantly reduce the content of glutamic acid (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Sal B can amelioratee neurological damage in mice with cerebral ischemia injury

and reduce cerebral edema

decrease glutamate contents

inhibit the excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity action. Sal B has neuroprotective effects on acute focal cerebral ischemia in mice.