Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
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Gastrodin is a component extracted from the rhizome of Gastrodia elata, and has been shown to possess protective effects against neuron damage induced by simulated cerebral ischemia in previous studies. But its neurochemical effects on the ischemic brain had not been well studied. ⋯ Administration of gastrodin (100 mg/kg) before ischemia significantly reduced the ischemia-induced elevation of glutamate levels during the postischemic period, increased the rise of extracellular GABA during the reperfusion periods, thus decreased the glutamate/GABA ratios during ischemia and reperfusion. These results provide insights to explain the neurochemical effects of gastrodin when applied prior to an ischemic event.