Objective To study the protective effect of radix salviae miltiorrhizae (RSM) through regulating the expression of interleukin
1β converting enzyme (ICE) in gerbil brain after global forebrain ischemia and reperfusion.Method On a model of global forebrain ischemia and reperfusion,RT PCR and
immunohistochemical technique were used.Results Increased expression of ICE mRNA was induced in cortex and CA1 during 1～4 days after ischemia and reperfusion.Using immunohistochemical technique,it was observed that the number of ICE positive cells in brain increased significantly after global forebrain ischemia and reperfusion; although ICE expression in RSM group was lower than that in control group,it was still higher than that in sham operation group(P<0.01).Significant difference was also observed between the RSM prevented group and the RSM treated group(P<0.01).Conclusion RSM might play a neuroprotective role through regulating ICE expression during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.