OBJECTIVE:To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Fructus Chebulae extract using both in vivo and invitromodels of cerebral ischemia.METHODS:As an in vitro model,oxygen glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation(OGD-R)and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)induced cellular damage in rat pheochromocytoma(PC12)cells was used to investigate the neuroprotective effects of extract of Fructus Chebulae.3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to calculate cell survival.For in vivo,occlusion of left middle cerebral artery on rats was carried out as a focal cerebral ischemic model.RESULTS:Fructus Chebulae extract increases the PC12 cell survival against OGD-R and H2O2by 68%and 91.4%respectively.Fructus Chebulae also de-creases the cerebral infarct volume by 39%and extent of hemisphere swelling from 17%in control group to 10%in FructusChebulaetreated group.CONCLUSION:Fructus Chebulae,as a traditional medicine,can rescue the neuronal cell death against ischemia related damage.The possible mechanism for the neuroprotection might be the inhibition of oxidative damages occurring after acute phase of cerebral ischemia.