Abstract: Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of extraction of gastrodia elata on status epilepticus induced by Li-pilocarpine in rats. Methods 144 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: saline control (5 ml/kg twice daily), small dose gastrodia group (5 ml/kg twice daily), large dose gastrodia group (10 ml/kg twice daily) and lamotrigine group (20 mg/kg twice daily). The status epilepticus was induced 3 d after treatment. The duration of status epilepticus, neuron loss, the rate of spontaneous seizure and the score of mossy fiber sprouting were analyzed. Results Large dose gastrodia or lamotrigine administration can shorten the duration of status epilepticus and decrease the neuron loss compared with the small dose gastrodia and control administration. But all treatments cannot prevent mossy fiber sprouting and spontaneous seizures. Conclusion 20 ml/kg gastrodia or 40 mg/kg lamotrigine administration can shorten the duration of status epilepticus induced by Li-pilocarpine, and decrease the neuron loss of CA1, CA3 of hippocampus and hilus of dentate gyrus, but cannot prevent epileptogenesis after brain insult.

Key words: status epilepticus, gastrodia elata, neuroprotection, lamotrigine