To explore the effect of multiple pathway intervention in acute cerebral ischemia injury, we prepared a medicine formula （formula 2） consisting of ginsenosides, pueraria flavonoids, ophiopogonis and borneol as a tool medicine. The effects of formula 2 and its components on PC12 cell viability and potential pathway were investigated, and the influence of this formula on venous thrombosis and platelet aggregation was also assessed, then the effect of formula 2 on middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） reperfusion was observed in rats. Formula 2 markedly enhanced the cell viability, which was stronger than that of each individual component. Formula 2 significantly inhibited the NO production in PC12 cells induced by H202, and this effect was also stronger than that of each individual component. Moreover, formula 2 enhanced the SOD activity, and the effect was stronger than that of ginsenosides. In addition, formula 2 reduced the MDA content, and this effect was stronger than that of ophiopogonins. In vivo, formula 2 showed potent inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation and venous thrombosis. Furthermore, formula 2 （single dose, s.c.） significantly reduced the infarct volume and neurobehavioral scores in MCAO reperfusion rats. Take together, our results suggests that formula 2 has powerful ability of inhibiting the ischemia/reperfusion injury, and this effect might be attributed to its simultaneous intervention in the cascade reaction of neuronal injury via multiple pathways contributed by multiple components during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.
