Objective: To investigate the underlying mechanism of Cinnamomi Ramulus (CR)' s protective effect on the central nervous system damages in mice induced by Ephedrine Herba (EH). Method: According to weight

KM mice were randomly assigned into saline group

EH group

EH-CR 3: 2 group

EH-CR 3: 1 group and CR group. After intragastric administration for 14 days

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

malondialdehyde (MDA)

nitric oxide (NO)

and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) levels in brain tissues were detected with ELISA

and NLRP3 inflammasome was detected by Western blot. Result: As compared with the normal saline group

SOD activity was reduced in EH group

while the levels of MDA

NO

TNOS and iNOS were increased (P<0.01); the expression levels of Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)

apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC) and cysteine aspartic acid protease-1(Caspase-1) were up-regulated (P<0.01); but CR group showed no significant difference. As compared with EH group

CR combined with EH could significantly increase SOD activity in brain tissue (P<0.05

P＜0.01)

reduce the MDA

NO

TNOS

iNOS production(P<0.05

P＜0.01)

and down-regulate the NLRP3

ASC and Caspase-1 protein expressions (P<0.05

P＜0.01). Conclusion: CR has protective effect on the central nervous system damages induced by EH

and its mechanism may be associated with increasing antioxidant ability

reducing oxidant damage and attenuating NLRP3 inflammasome expression.