ABSTRACT
Aim The protective effect of total salvianolic acids (Sal) on cerebral hypoxia inmice was studied. Methods Acute cerebral hypoxia was induced by sodium nitrite scand decapitation.The effect of Sal on acute cerebral hypoxia in mice and neuronalhypoxia injury induced by sodium dithionite in primary cultures were ob-served. Results Sal in the doses of 10, 20 mg?kg-1 iv protected mice against theacute cerebral hypoxia and inhibited the production of lipid peroxidation in brain tis-sue of mice caused by cerebral hypoxia. Sal in the doses of 1~10 ?g? L-1 reduced therate of cell death and the content of MDA and lowered LDH content in extra-cellularbathing media in oxygen deprived cortical cultures.Conclusions Sal protects miceagainst cerebral hypoxia by suppressing the generation of lipid peroxide.