Objective: To evaluate the effect of Acanthopanacis Senticosi in treating acute cerebral infarction and its mechanism.Methods: Clinical study using single-blind

control trial

in which 60-80 ml of Acanthopanax Injection (AI) added to 500 ml of 0.9% normal saline were given by intravenous drip once a day for 14 days in the AI group

while 500 ml of low molecular dextran were given in the same way to the control group. In experimental study

rabbit model of acute incomplete cerebral ischemia was made by ligation of bilateral common carotid artery. 10 ml of AI were given once daily intravenously for 7 days to the AI group and 10 ml of normal saline was given to the control group in the same way. Clinical effects (in clinical study) and effect of AI on cerebral oxygen free radicals (OFR)

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

and serum concentration of ACTH and cortisone were all observed (in experimental study).Results: The total effective rate in the AI group was higher than that in the control group while nervous functional deficit score was lower in the AI group than that in the control group significantly. The cerebral level of OFR

serum level of ACTH and cortisone decreased while SOD increased after treatment in AI group.Conclusion: AI was effective in treating acute cerebral infarction

the mechanism is probably by ameliorating peroxidation in brain and improving hypothalamic-pituitary-a-drenocortical axis function.