Objective: To explore the neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo terpene lactones meglumine injection (GTLMI) and its active compounds on behavior and cerebrospinal fluid in rats with cerebral ischemia/reprerfusion injury. Method: The rats were divided into six groups which included control group

model group

GTLMI group (G

20 mg·kg-1)

ginkgolide B group (GB

20 mg·kg-1)

ginkgolide A group (GA

20 mg·kg-1) and ginkgolide K group (GK

20 mg·kg-1). After treatment with corresponding drugs

rats in each group except control group were subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Neurological deficit scores and biomarkers [Ca2+

glutamate(Glu)

aspartic acid(Asp)

lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and creatine phosphorinase (CK)] in cerebrospinal fluid were detected after ischemia/reperfusion. Result: Compared with control group

rats in model group showed severe brain damage with significant changes in cerebrospinal fluid

including decreased content of Ca2+ and increased levels of Glu

Asp

LDH

CK. Diterpene ginkgolides (G

GB

GA and GK) significantly improved the animal behavior caused by cerebral ischemia after 24 h (P<0.05

P<0.01). Diterpene ginkgolides also markedly increased the content of Ca2+ in cerebrospinal fluid. Meanwhile

they decreased the content of neurotransmitter Glu and Asp when compared with model group (P<0.05

P<0.01). Additionally

the content of CK in cerebrospinal fluid significantly decreased in GTLMI and ginkgolide A group compared with that in model group (P<0.05)

and the content of LDH in cerebrospinal fluid significantly decreased in ginkgolide B group compared with that in model group (P<0.05). Conclusion: GTLMI and its active components could obviously improve neurologic impairment

decrease free Ca2+ inflow into the cells and the content of excitatory amino acid in cerebrospinal fluid

and improve the level of biochemical index of cerebrospinal fluid

suggesting that diterpene ginkgolides are effective agents for cerebral protection.